How to Start a Depression Support Group
A support group can provide a safe and encouraging environment for people struggling with depression. Support groups can help depressed people feel less alone as they battle dark moods and suicidal thoughts. As founder, your role is to encourage peer sharing, trust and camaraderie, and offer additional information for daily living. The first step when creating a depression support group is to develop a written plan of action. This will keep you organized and motivated, and it allows you to monitor the progress you make.
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Instructions
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Focus on the demographic that most interests you. Create a journal for the group. Write down the name of your group, the type of depression your group will target, the meeting time, the roles of the group facilitator and the demographics of the group---for example, age or gender.
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Provide a safe, encouraging and non-judgmental environment. Plan your first meeting. Write down topics for group discussion---for example, rules and regulations, how the group will make decisions and what topics the group will discuss.
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Allow everyone to have a say in how the group will run. Create a sign-in form which you will use for your meetings, and include space for each attendee's name, address, phone number and signature.
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Find a free or low-cost venue for your first group meeting. Ask a local nonprofit organization, such as a church, if there are vacant time slots. You will need to know how often your group is going to meet, what days and the time of day. Choose a central and convenient meeting place.
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Set positive goals within your group. Create advertising materials like fliers, newspaper ads and web ads which include the name of your group, demographic information, venue address and meeting time. Mention topics that you will discuss at your depression support group.
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Post your fliers on free bulletin boards at college campuses, gas stations, laundry facilities or the business office where you work. Advertise the group on websites or radio stations which offer free advertising slots for community activities.
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Setting goals within the group keeps everyone motivated. Create educational materials relevant to the topics your group will address. Find free information about depression on the web and at libraries and clinics, and print out copies to distribute at your group meetings.
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Create a website which contains up-to-date information about the support group and additional information about depression. Include links to resources on the disease.
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Tips & Warnings
Although depression has negative connotations, work to bring positive and upbeat discussion within the group.
Develop a monthly and yearly plan with those that initially join the group, to determine group goals.
A group facilitator should pose questions to the group, making sure each person has their chance to speak without interruption, and make sure each meeting runs smoothly.
Create a festive atmosphere within the group by providing snacks, music breaks and special group outings.
Do not attempt to take on the role of counselor, because most often, your group members will already have professional counselors available to them. Avoid giving advice or making claims that could cause legal trouble or harm to any of your members. Point your members back to their doctors, counselors and family support.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thoughtful girl image by Pontus Edenberg from Fotolia.com woman in solutude and depression image by Allen Penton from Fotolia.com Depressed woman image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com sad woman image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com sad psychiatric patient image by Tristano Ajmone from Fotolia.com Tulips image by Graham King from Fotolia.com
