Self-Help Groups
What is Self-Help?
A self-help group is a voluntary gathering of people who share a common problem, condition, or history. By coming together, members share support and ideas on how to cope and live more productive and fulfilling lives. Groups are usually free of charge, on-going, and open to new members.Self-help or mutual assistance groups are playing an increasingly important role in the health care system. They complement traditional services by effectively helping people deal with problems, stress, hardship, pain, and personal development. In self-help groups, people take responsibility for each other and themselves. They find that participting with others dealing with similar issues is non-stigmatizing and effective.
News Updates
Facilitator Workshop - Sat., April 16th - Learn about facilitator roles, shared leadership, listening skills, dealing with difficult behaviors and more. Share stories and gain support as a new or experienced facilitator. CEU credit available. See details
Thirteenth Edition of Support Group Directory Available
The print edition of the revised support group directory can be picked up at Family Service, 405 S. State St. in Champaign between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. There is no charge for the directory if it is picked up at Family Service. If mailed, there is a $2.50/book shipping charge prepaid to Family Service Self-Help Center with a notation support group directory and the quantity requested. The directory is also accessible on this web site per topic; the online directory is updated on a regular basis whereas the print copy is revised every other year.
2010 Mowrer Award Recipient
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Outstanding Professional Support:
- Char Pekoz, former director of Threshold, Champaign County Adult Day and Treatment Center where she utilized GROW self help peer support group as part of a multidisciplinary approach to client empowerment. Char worked with Claudia Black and other pioneers of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) to bring training on codependency and launch ACO groups in Illinois. She is a member of Hep Alive, a support group for persons “living with” chronic Hepatitis C and other forms of hepatitis. Char helped to launch 5 years ago the Tuesday Healing Writing Support Group which encourages women to reflect on their health/life experiences through the use of prompts, writings and readings.
- Sue Keller, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program Supervisor, Community Elements
- Works with NAMI (National Alliance of the Mentally Il- Champaign County, Wednesday Recovery Group and WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)
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