Yes! There is increasing evidence about the benefits of groups, in particular peer led groups. #Imroc is developing a robust training framework for peer led group facilitators because it is so important that these are safe spaces - for group members and facilitators. #peersupportgroups #livedexperience #mentalhealth
Group therapists and mental health investors - what do you think of this? I am a huge proponent of group therapy and its effectiveness. I trained in group therapy, ran groups for years, supervised those training, and oversaw a large clinic with a massive group-program. My first job was a form of intensive group therapy 24 hours a day as a wilderness therapist for youth at risk, I lived and breathed it. Yes, group is growing again for many good reasons... Unfortunately, this article feels like a perfect manifestation of the disconnect happening in mental health investments: a surface level understanding of treatment value is identified and put forward as the solution while ignoring the professionally well-known pragmatic realities of said treatment. A couple of examples that jump out to me: - Groups are generally most effective with two leaders, not one. - Recruitment: 4-8 people who's schedules will allow them to attend the same 90 minute meeting for 2 months who also want to attend a group. The less frequent a concern, the harder it will be to start a group. How long is too long to wait? What's the minimum start number accounting for sick/miss rates? - Group composition - members that will/won't work together? Members that will cause harm to other members? Past histories? Past treatment experiences? Traumas? Exclusion criteria? - Meeting mechanism: tele can work - but in person is SO much better. Travel time, parking, rooms large enough to be comfortable. Scheduling. - Running a group takes much more time than 90 minutes: pre-session planning, co-leader alignment, intervening with individual members in distress or at risk (after/outside the group), notes for each member and the group. - And, population level interest in groups has been on the decline for a long time. Talk to anyone charged with recommending group at triage or intake. Growing access to group therapy is a must, but let's pause and make sure we're using the right math :) #mentalhealthinvesting
Founder - Emerging Proud Campaign, Soteria Network Trustee, Associate Consultant - ImROC
3wPeer-led groups are certainly the way forwards. They are proven to have therapeutic benefit despite being seen as 'therapy' per se. It's a passion of mine to see this provision proliferate as services crumble...