New Jersey Self-Help Group

Clearinghouse

LIBRARY

Downloadable Literature (in .pdf format)

& Self-Help Group Basics

o Understanding Self-Help Groups (14 pages)

& Starting Mutual Aid Self-Help Groups

o How to Start a Self-Help Group Book (12 pages)

o Seven Basic Steps for Starting a Self-Help Group (3 pgs)

o Optional Checklists for Use in Starting a Group (22 pgs)

o Recruitment Techniques (2 pgs)

o Some Help for the Helper: A Guide for the Group Contact Person (6 pgs)

o Suggestions for Locating a Meeting Place (4 pgs)

o Checklist for Being A Phone Contact Person for Your Group (1 pg)

o Structuring Your Meeting (2 pg)

o Sample Start-Up Press Release (Word Document 1 pg)

o Finding Guest Speakers for Your Group (1 pg)

o Developing Groups: Ten Steps & Suggestions for Professionals (3 pgs)

o How to Start a Spanish-language Support Group

& Communication Between Members

o Sample Group Guidelines or “Ground Rules” (1 pg)

o Possible Discussion Questions (2 pgs)

o Suggested Guidelines for Communication During Meetings (4 pgs)

o Improving Your Listening Skills (7 pgs)

o Accentuating the Positive: Keeping Your Meeting Upbeat (2 pgs)

o Ways that Members Provide Mutual Support Between Meetings (1 pg)

& General Group

101 Ideas for Improving Your Self-Help Group (8 pgs)

& Evaluating

o Group Evaluation (2 pgs)

o Is It Just Member Flow or An Unhealthy Turnover? (2 pgs)

o Evaluating your Membership Size (2 pgs)

& Membership Issues

o Keeping Group Members from the Start (4 pgs)

o Getting Members Involved (1 pg)

o Volunteer Guide for Mental Health Support Groups & Self-Help Centers (11 pgs)

& Overcoming Group Problems

o Some Common Group Problems (5 pgs)

o Group Maintenance Strategies: Ways to Strengthen Your Group When Problems Arise (5 pgs)

o What You Can Do If Your Group Needs an Insurance Policy (2 pgs)

o A Few Ideas for Overcoming Problem of Transportation to Meetings for Persons with Disabilities (2 pgs)

o Some Ideas for Coping with Monopolizers During Group Discussions (2 pgs)

o Dealing with Disruptive Group Members (1 pg)

& Facilitation / Shared Leadership

o The Impact of Fostering a “Group’s Group” (2 pgs)

& For Professionals

o How Self-Help Groups Support Professionals (1 pg)

o Developing Self-Help Groups: Ten General Steps for Professionals (4 pgs)

o Transitioning from a Professionally-led to Member-run Group (4 pgs)

o How Professionals Can Support Self-Help Groups (1 pg)