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Leading Peer Support and Self-Help Groups: A Pocket Resource for Peer Specialists and Support Group Facilitators
There were more visits to peer support/self-help groups last year, than there were visits to the offices of mental health professionals. Peer support groups have exploded in popularity, as the public and the healthcare community recognize that they provide an effective complement to formal care, and improve the chance that many participants will have better healthcare outcomes. Few peer support/self-help group leaders have more than minimal training in how to lead a group successfully. This is unfortunate, as leading a self-help group is often challenging. This pocket resource is designed to provide easy access to key information and strategies to help Peer Specialists and other lay group leaders develop and expand their group facilitation skills so they can lead healthy thriving peer support groups.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 16, 2023
This is a really wonderful book to have on hand as I believe it covers almost everything pertaining to this form of community support.
I noted the initial pep talk for and praise of these volunteer roles as well as the more profound truth of what is involved in being a peer support volunteer. He eloquently states,"Support group leadership also takes a lot of internal work as well, as you reflect on how the group is doing, what it needs, how the meetings are affecting you emotionally, and what your psychological needs are with respect to the group."
I don't know how many support group leaders are 100% aware of being required to process the above factors, but it is definitely a good description of probably a common process. But overall, it is important to keep in mind what the value is in fulfilling this role:
"Overall, peer support group leaders have the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped create opportunities for people to be open and honest with each other and to build connections in an increasingly disconnected world."
Communities need this, and as he explains later in the book, "Holding a group in the community gives a clear message that social support exists in the community," and, "This can lead to better social integration into the community." I found this idea especially useful in terms of mental health services being able to refer clients to support groups, and thus creating "better community integration outcomes."
This book also has an extensive list of resources in the back from which to refer participants for help in specific areas that cannot be as well addressed by another specific group.
In terms of knowing how to interact with different types of people, there are various and typical scenarios presented in terms of behavioral traits among participates. He devotes ample time to each and then explains in a technical manner how to interact and help shape the direction of the group based on specific responses to challenges that are common.
However, I had to laugh quite a bit while picturing myself saying some of his suggestions to participants. I could see people saying some of these at a political volunteer staff meeting, but maybe not so much in a support group for mental health:
"We've heard a lot from you tonight, John. I wonder how others are doing."
The examples then went further into ways I don't see myself handling certain things, but they may be the most direct and appropriate way to handle things.
As he says, your own group organization is who you should turn to when in doubt, and that you should review guidelines with them in order to prevent avoidable miscommunications later on.
Indeed this book appropriately ends with one of the most important aspects of group facilitation:
"As a facilitator...you will be in situations where you have to respond to a range of high-risk challenges ." Thus, one really should have proper training.
One of the biggest takeaways I got from this book was the idea that one should be well rehearsed and well prepared for what to do and who else to contact in the event of an emergency. This takes place mostly in ongoing facilitator trainings, but here are laid out a number of specific questions to keep on hand when dealing especially with a suicidal participant. (Homicidal ideation is not covered here, but is something I have encountered on a more covert level and in a domestic violence situation, and have had to discuss with my supervisor.)
I will keep this book always in my kit, for in the back of it, he has places to record numbers of various organizations you might want to contact in the event of a crisis or for resources that go beyond the scope of the group, such as recording a number for a rape hotline or domestic violence.
.
I noted the initial pep talk for and praise of these volunteer roles as well as the more profound truth of what is involved in being a peer support volunteer. He eloquently states,"Support group leadership also takes a lot of internal work as well, as you reflect on how the group is doing, what it needs, how the meetings are affecting you emotionally, and what your psychological needs are with respect to the group."
I don't know how many support group leaders are 100% aware of being required to process the above factors, but it is definitely a good description of probably a common process. But overall, it is important to keep in mind what the value is in fulfilling this role:
"Overall, peer support group leaders have the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped create opportunities for people to be open and honest with each other and to build connections in an increasingly disconnected world."
Communities need this, and as he explains later in the book, "Holding a group in the community gives a clear message that social support exists in the community," and, "This can lead to better social integration into the community." I found this idea especially useful in terms of mental health services being able to refer clients to support groups, and thus creating "better community integration outcomes."
This book also has an extensive list of resources in the back from which to refer participants for help in specific areas that cannot be as well addressed by another specific group.
In terms of knowing how to interact with different types of people, there are various and typical scenarios presented in terms of behavioral traits among participates. He devotes ample time to each and then explains in a technical manner how to interact and help shape the direction of the group based on specific responses to challenges that are common.
However, I had to laugh quite a bit while picturing myself saying some of his suggestions to participants. I could see people saying some of these at a political volunteer staff meeting, but maybe not so much in a support group for mental health:
"We've heard a lot from you tonight, John. I wonder how others are doing."
The examples then went further into ways I don't see myself handling certain things, but they may be the most direct and appropriate way to handle things.
As he says, your own group organization is who you should turn to when in doubt, and that you should review guidelines with them in order to prevent avoidable miscommunications later on.
Indeed this book appropriately ends with one of the most important aspects of group facilitation:
"As a facilitator...you will be in situations where you have to respond to a range of high-risk challenges ." Thus, one really should have proper training.
One of the biggest takeaways I got from this book was the idea that one should be well rehearsed and well prepared for what to do and who else to contact in the event of an emergency. This takes place mostly in ongoing facilitator trainings, but here are laid out a number of specific questions to keep on hand when dealing especially with a suicidal participant. (Homicidal ideation is not covered here, but is something I have encountered on a more covert level and in a domestic violence situation, and have had to discuss with my supervisor.)
I will keep this book always in my kit, for in the back of it, he has places to record numbers of various organizations you might want to contact in the event of a crisis or for resources that go beyond the scope of the group, such as recording a number for a rape hotline or domestic violence.
.
March 16, 2023
Provides great information on running support groups. Leans more towards the perspective of a group member acting as leader rather than a professional facilitator but I feel it’s information is mostly applicable to both situations with great suggestions on managing different group dynamics.
November 5, 2024
A great resource.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews