The contribution of self-help groups to the mental health/substance use services system

Abstract

Self-help groups provide an immense amount of service, which mental health professionals do not adequately understand or coordinate with their services. Epidemiological surveys have documented the profiles of self-help users, the amount of self-help use, and the association between self-help use and professional services. The large majority of self-help users use professional services sometimes as a gateway into professional services, other times concurrently with professional service or as aftercare following a course of professional services. The hallmark features of self-help groups: their use of the experiential perspective, referent power, and reciprocal helping relationships are contrasted with professional mental health services. The essential elements of effective referrals to self-help groups are discussed. At another level, the chapter also discusses the organizational supports necessary for effective collaboration between self-help groups and professional services. While the boundaries between mental health services and self-help groups must be respected, both parties have much to gain by entering into more extensive community partnerships. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.