Peer Support Group Offers Powerful Tool for Recovery from Mental Illness
Imagine that you been disabled by a mental illness. People avoid you; in fact, you may be a forgotten person, stigmatized and living without a support network of friends, co-workers, or even family. With the newly-formed Washington County Peer Support Group you now have the option of a powerful recovery tool. In his 1999 report on mental health in the United States, Surgeon General David Satcher cited the benefits of peer support groups to individuals with mental illness. In general, participation in these groups has been found to lessen feelings of isolation, 's increase practical knowledge, and sustain coping efforts (Powell, 1994; Kurtz, 1997). Various orientations include replacing self-defeating
thoughts and actions with wellness-promoting activities (Murray, 1996), improved vocational involvement (Kaufman, 1995), and social support and shared problem solving (Mowbray & Tan, 1993). In her paper, "Peer Support: A Theoretical Perspective," social worker and researcher Shery Mead states that "traditional research…is founded on beliefs that we won't get over having a mental illness; we are only capable of 'functional' healing as we attain certain socially prescribed goals - housing, job security, and social integration. If researchers would let go of methodology that defines mental illness as a permanent disability we could explore the relationship of peer support to recovery. What peers know is that we can and do get well. We outgrow the role of 'mental patient,' and this discovery came from the arena of peer support and advocacy." In June of this year, through a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health, the Washington County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (MHAR) Board sponsored a four-day Peer Support Training. Trainers from Ohio Advocates for Mental Health trained 15 people in Washington County who volunteered to create and sustain a peer support group for Washington County citizens who are or have been consumers of mental health services. The training emphasized healthy attitudes, ethics, and communication skills; other training topics included empathy, problem-solving, setting boundaries, self-care, assertiveness, dealing with crises, developing local resources, and advocacy. Beginning July 15th, the Washington County Peer Support Group will meet each Tuesday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. The group will offer four group series per year, each lasting 13 weeks. Membership is open to individuals who are or have been consumers of mental health services and/or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. In order to be as inclusive as possible and still maintain consistency, trust, and group cohesiveness, membership in the first 13-week session will be open to new members through the fourth week. Membership in subsequent sessions will be open only through the third week. The group may make occasional exceptions to this guideline, depending on circumstances. The Washington County MHAR Board maintains a strong belief in the Recovery Model adopted by the Ohio Department of Mental Health. We know that people can and do recovery from mental illness and we are committed to supporting programs that are best practices in the recovery movement. For more information about the Washington County Peer Support Group, please call the Washington County MHAR Board, 374-6990.