Five theoretical frameworks have been used in attempts to explain the effectiveness of self-help groups. Solomon, Phyllis (2004). “Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients”. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. Social support: Having a community of people to give physical and emotional comfort, people who love and care, is a moderating factor in […]
Read More...In 2006 I founded the Living Room group support ministry. As time went on, and especially after being featured on the TV show 100 Huntley Street, enthusiasm grew. The number of groups increased steadily. After four and a half years the ministry had grown to thirteen groups and there were reports that more were […]
Read More...by Marja Bergen Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7 […]
Read More...The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 A long time ago, as I was reading Traveling Light by Max Lucado, I noted how he said […]
Read More...I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10-11 When I experience emotional pain I’d give anything to have friends and family appreciate what I’m going through. This is especially so when I’m finding it hard to […]
Read More...People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I […]
Read More...If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Years ago, when I was still driving, I was pulled over after going through a school zone. The officer asked me, “Did you know what your speed was?” I didn’t. […]
Read More...…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10 In the early days of Living Room* I spoke much about what I called other-centeredness – the opposite of self-centeredness. This […]
Read More...Graham Thornicroft, in his book Shunned: Discrimination against people with mental illness said this: “Once a person has been defined as mentally ill, his or her protests are often discredited or, even worse, labelled one more ‘symptom’ of his or her illness.” I have – for a very long time tried to reconcile with […]
Read More...Problems arise when accusations made by mistreated people with mental illness are discredited – when what they say is not believed. When they’re not treated as “real” human beings. They become fair game for those who hold a stigma. Those who might become cruel. Abusers think: “Why worry about how I treat them? If […]
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