I RECENTLY did an interview during which I was asked about support-group options in Guyana. Unfortunately, other than groups for substance abusers and their family members, I do not think any others exist.
Some, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), require you to register with their head office to ensure that their specific guidelines are followed. However, I’m going to talk about the more basic types of support groups- ones you can start in your own backyard, literally. I’m going to talk about the benefits and the typical structure of a support group, so more Guyanese can obtain the help and support they may need.

Support groups are made up of individuals who share a common struggle or trauma. They exist for awareness, and emotional support, to provide hope and to offer practical help to other survivors.

To organise a support group, you must first identify a few key factors.
* What is the focus of the group, and who is it tailored to? For example, survivors of sexual assault? Domestic violence? Bullying, etc. It can be any focus you would like.
* Who can participate? Is it open or closed? When meetings are closed, it means only survivors can attend; if they are open, they are allowed to bring friends or family members for additional support. What accessible location will you use that will allow for members to feel safe and comfortable? What days and how often will you meet?
* Who will be the group facilitator? This can be a member of the health community such as a psychologist or social worker, or it can be a survivor themself who has been through rehabilitation and wants to make a difference. The facilitator can also change weekly. Key characteristics of facilitators should be recovery, flexibility, positivity, and the ability to hold the attention of a room, filling it with support and hope.
* Weekly or monthly (depending on how often you meet) topics are vital to choose. These largely depend on the focus of the group, but common topics include coping, healing, gratitude, forgiveness etc.

The structure of a typical meeting.
– The facilitator welcomes everyone and thanks them for their bravery and courage to attend.
– The facilitator reminds everyone that confidentiality is one of the biggest benefits of the group.
– The topic for the week is announced.
– Anyone who wants to take a turn to discuss anything concerning the topic can speak.
– The facilitator or members can read pieces of literature that they find beneficial about the topic.
– No one is ever interrupted as they are speaking.
– The topic for the next week is decided.
– The serenity prayer, one often used in recovery, can be said if members decide which is “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Boundaries to set for a meeting.
While God is mentioned in the serenity prayer, these are not religious groups. The God, in this sense, is more like a higher power which can be anything one chooses- people in their lives to trees which they have planted.
These meetings are not places to convert people into your belief systems. Set boundaries for members to understand cultural differences. Set boundaries on time, so members know to come on time. Set boundaries for personal and physical space – ask before you hug or touch any member. Respect others’ emotions and opinions; just because you may have experienced the same trauma does not mean you may have the same feelings or beliefs towards it, as everyone copes differently.

The whole point of attending and sharing in a support group is to release your feelings into a group of people who not only may understand the circumstance, but may also provide empathy, respect and unconditional compassion in a non-judgmental area.
It is okay to leave a meeting if you feel as if your boundaries are not being respected.

How can you keep a support group going?
It is important for members to share responsibility – to take turns being a facilitator, suggest healthy topics to discuss, and aid in whatever else is needed. Be sure everyone in the group has a chance to express their stories and feelings; ensure there is no bullying within the group. Let every member celebrate their little victories. Sometimes, it’s hard for survivors just to get out of bed, so if they are excited to share and celebrate a little victory, allow it. This also allows for members to keep the progress of themselves and others. Guest speakers can also be asked to come; these can be anyone who has advanced knowledge of the specific trauma or resilience skills.

Sometimes you may have difficult group members, but there are healthy ways to deal with them. A difficult member may be someone who often shows up late, stays on their phone, interrupts people, laughs at others’ emotions etc.

It is important that the current facilitator has a conversation with that difficult member, reinforcing the reason for the support group and kindly and specifically pointing out the behaviours the group wishes to change, depending on the behaviour. It may be asked to be stopped completely, or alternatives supported by the group can be suggested.

Allowing individuals to become aware of your group is also largely dependent on the group’s focus and its members’ desires. Some like to promote awareness through media, mental health professionals or social media. While other groups like to keep it at just word of mouth and invite only known survivors- both are okay and still beneficial.

If you are thinking about starting a support group, I’d like to state the benefits of a support group clearly. It’s a space that will allow you the realisation that you are not alone, that there are people who have recovered after a similar experience to yours and others full of hope to recover. It aids in communication all around, which can help you to better share your emotions with other loved ones and will ultimately decrease feelings of isolation and helplessness.

I hope many of you decide to create one.
Thanks for reading and please continue to send topic suggestions to caitlinvieira@gmail.com