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ALEXA JAMES MS, LCSWASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
NAMI CHICAGON A M I I L L I N O I S C O N F E R E N C E O C T O B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 3
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: TEEN
SUPPORT GROUP
INTRODUCTIONNEED / FINDINGSDEVELOPMENTFUNDINGIMPLEMENTATIONOUTCOMESQ & A
Overview
We noticed an unmet need in the community: support groups for teenagers,
both living with a mental illness and affected by a mental illness (family
member).
What we’ve been up to:
Support Groups
Consumer
Family
Spanish (consumer & family)
Education
Family-to-Family
Pathways in Living
Crisis Intervention Training
Adult
Juvenile
HELPLINE
5,000 calls per year
1,000 resources
Outreach
Internship Programs
Needs Assessment
Monitor # of requests on our Helpline for this type of support – who’s asking?
Research on support groups for young people living with a mental illness and/or living with a family member with a mental illness. Has this been done before?
Agency outreach Who is hosting support groups in Chicagoland? Has anyone tried teen support groups before? Would you utilize a teen support group as a resource
for clients?
Findings
Very limited research availableIt’s been done locally before- without successTransportation is an obstacleDifficult to get youth engaged Need for a clinician facilitator (vs peer) is
additional expense
Marketing
How can we make it appealing to youth? Assessing your target group
Clear participation criteriaMake materials useful for
your targetAccessibilityNetworksMaintaining your listserv
Collaborative Marketing Tools
Group Preparation
Secure funding Submit grant requests Evaluate your budget- how to keep costs low
TransportationSetup the space
Remove tables and other barriers Greet teens at the door for each group, provide snacks
Defining the Group
Construct a brief statement to include in marketing materials but also to articulate to the group
Purpose and Focus/IntentOpen group formatDiscuss the role of the group as it relates to
the hosting agency Involve group members by encouraging
feedback ( pick any topic, ex. snack choice, time of day, room,
etc.)
Pre Survey Sample
Sample Agenda
Week 4** August 20, 2013 (Alexa) Greeter (Intern) Survey/Sign in (All) Intros / Check in
Ice Breakers (Ashley) Two truths and a lie (Intern) Step in if you… (Alexa) Rules BREAK (5 mins) (Ashley) Defining Acceptance / Self-Control (Intern) Discussion / Mandala*
What does your “serenity prayer” look like (Intern) Survey (All) Close out – snack vote
Mandala
Mandalas can be an excellent art therapy intervention for both children and adults. The word "mandala" comes from the Sanskrit word for "circle." However, it means more than just the shape and also encompasses the idea of wholeness and unity. Mandalas can be powerful symbols and have been present in many cultures and spiritual practices. Carl Jung is thought to have introduced the West to the idea of mandalas and often created mandalas as a form of self-expression and exploration of his internal world.http://creativityintherapy.blogspot.com
Learn from our Experience
Pre and Post SurveyManage group dynamics
Rule structure and reiteration Turn it back to the group Don’t engage in distracting behaviors Facilitators model positive feedback
Topic choice is crucial Ex: forgiveness Topic-focused vs. interactive activity
Outcomes
Stigma reductionResource connectionSocial network/supportFamily involvement Further funding