How to Start a Mental Illness Support Group
Those affected by a mental illness can find hope and encouragement through a support group. While larger cities may already have multiple groups, smaller communities may not have as many available. With planning and advertising, you can start a successful mental illness support group.
- Create goals for your support group. Write down the type of group you want to create and your ultimate goals. Decide if the group will be designed for people who suffer from a mental illness or will offer support to family members and friends who have a loved one with a mental illness.
- Secure a location for your support group meetings. Consider contacting local libraries, hospitals, community centers or your place of worship.
- Advertise your group. Post an ad in your local newspaper that includes information about who and what the group is for and where the meetings will take place. Talk about your group in online forums to make others aware. Create flyers to post in community centers and libraries advertising your group.
- Determine a time to meet. Once you have successfully added members to your group, choose a day to meet that accommodates schedules. Decide between weekly or monthly meetings for the group. Call or email each member to let them know when the meeting will take place and where.
- Write a list of topics you will cover at the meeting. Topics can include medications, daily struggles and how to cope with a mental illness. Let each member have time to speak during the meeting.
- Contact mental health professionals in your area for information about topics to cover, and to aware them of your group. Ask therapists for brochures or pamphlets that you can distribute during the meetings. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health's website to order free publications that you can pass out during meetings.