Developing A Psychiatric Health Support Group

By Marylou Forbes


It can often be difficult for groups to figure out a date, time and place for meet-ups. Setting a specific day each month like the 3rd Saturday or 2nd Sunday for a Psychiatric Health Support Group or other ongoing meeting is often a good idea. By having the event on a specific day rather than date, members can better coordinate and avoid conflicts in scheduling.

The first thing is to find a location that is suitable for individuals planning to attend. If individuals are calm, cool, collected, then a coffee shop or restaurant may be a good place. For others which may have individuals prone to loud verbal or violent outbreaks, organizers may want to rent a space that is more private and available for longer periods of time.

Another important aspect is to allow enough time for each individual to speak. It can often be beneficial to use a speaking stick or stone. A speaking stick or stone is a shared object with whom the only one holding the object at the time has the right speak.

Whether a mental health or social networking support group, a moderator is often a good idea. While often required when working with mentally unstable individuals, those attending outside support groups may want to be careful to consider others when speaking of personal experience. This is because sometimes what someone else experiences can have either a positive or negative effect on the psychological health of others which can in some instances cause an outbreak.

When setting up a date for each meeting, it is often best to make it a certain day of the month rather than date. For example, the group meets on the 3rd Saturday each month. By doing so, individuals can mark their calendars months, even years in advance without having to have a specific month, date and year and always know when a meeting is scheduled.

While there are some individuals that can be rehabilitated away from violence, there are also others who can not. For those who can, support is often at the forefront of success. Individuals who can not break away from violent behavior can often still find solace during therapy sessions set within a prison or hospital setting.

Safety and security, whether meeting at a residence, business, clinic or hospital are of utmost importance. While some support groups may not need additional security beyond members, those with individuals prone to violence often need professional security present at meetings. This is to help both the organizers and participants keep a safe and sane environment during each meeting.

One of the most beneficial activities anyone can participate in are social outings. While this can be difficult for some individuals, it is generally helpful to most. By sharing an outing to a park, theater, movie or play, individuals can escape mental issues and have fun together even if only for a few hours. This can also help individuals find it easier to communicate and associate with others one meets in life.

It is often recommended individuals with mental health issues inquire as to whether participating in a shared setting may be beneficial. If so, then it is important to combine any new activities with other ongoing treatment. After which, the individual can decide whether to continue ongoing treatment or participate in external support networks.




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