Gather and share accurate and specialized information. Have a cause and actively promote that cause. Historically, support groups related to a common health condition developed to help people resolve problems with bureaucracies. For this reason, groups are encouraged to operate with minimal structures and rules. Spending excessive time on organizational details detracts from the primary goals of providing personal support and advocating for systems' change.
Successful groups create a confidential environment for people to share their feelings safely.
Communication is vital in a support group. I feel . I suggest . . Sometimes distressed members digress on tangents and tell detailed stories rather than staying focused on the topic. To minimize these situations, groups should develop ground rules for the meeting time and recognize the limits of the group's role by encouraging persons who experience continuous or intense distress to seek professional assistance.