How To Start a Support Group

It truly is hard to be alone. While you can choose to tackle a problem with just your shadow for company, your chances of survival are very slim. It is best to address a situation with people who have undergone the same ordeal and most likely will understand what you're going through.

If you are interested in starting a support group, here are the things that you should do:

1. Identify the main concern of your group. Not all support groups are focused on problematic situations. Some may be formed because of medical concerns or certain issues. You may be starting your support group because of the need to focus on a specific issue.
2. Identify who the members of your group will be. Some support groups do not welcome only the actual persons experiencing the situation. Members can also be other people who are directly interacting with that person like family members, friends, teachers, and the like.
3. Think about the group's primary objectives. Offering support is surely your main objective but you should identify more specific goals under that category.
4. Consider your support group's size. It is best to keep it small at first for a more personal interaction and to give everyone an equal chance to share their concerns. Once a group reaches more than fifteen members, you can break it into smaller groups probably according to age or interests.
5. Think of a group name. The name should be inviting and appealing at the same time. One way is to use an acronym that is humorous yet instills the group's objectives.
6. Coordinate with the experts. You may have a support group even without professionals running each session. You may just invite one or two guest speakers to talk on a specific concern as the need arises.
7. Define the confidentiality or anonymity in your group. This will depend on what your support group is for. If the condition of members is something that should be kept confidential, you should assure each member that nothing come out of the walls of your sharing sessions.
8. Decide on how you group will establish funds. Some support groups, especially the ones that need to have offices, require memberships. Other, meanwhile, settle on soliciting donations from members or from other civic groups.
9. Decide if your group will need to undergo incorporation. When the support group is sponsored by a non-profit organization, incorporation may be required.
10. Plan a schedule for your meetings. Agree on a schedule of meetings. Do not make it too often enough to make members get tired of attending the sessions.
11. Coordinate with your community. Seek support from your community, especially when you already have projects.

Support groups are started because of this need to relate with another person who is experiencing the same situation. A support group is a good venue not only to meet new friends who will understand but it is also a place to brainstorm on new ideas to help other people who are in the same situation.