How Can Unfacilitated Groups Help You to Overcome Depression

Unfacilitated groups are self-help groups that run without a facilitator. This means that they are a bit of a free-for-all, but there are some really good sources of help and support amongst them.

12-Step Groups

The most common of the unfacilitated groups are the 12-Step groups. The 12-Step groups were started by Bill W in the 1950s to help alcoholics stop drinking. All other 12-Step groups are loosely based on the original Alcoholics Anonymous format.

12-Step groups are run by volunteers, not professionals. People sit in a room, hear some opening readings, and listen to someone sharing their experience. Then the meeting is opened to allow others to share what is on their minds. The 12 steps have been adapted to embrace other forms of compulsive behavior with a view to helping all kinds of people through the recovery programme. The meetings are anonymous and use the first name only.

THE ADVANTAGES OF 12-STEP MEETINGS ARE:

• They are readily available, with a range of meetings in most towns

• They cover a broad range of subjects

• They are anonymous and use first names only, which ensures a feeling of safety through anonymity

• There's a nonchalance and informality about the problems they are covering and this can be helpful, as it may engender the feeling that we are not alone in our struggle

• For many, there's a feeling of' coming home' when they hear others talking about how they feel

• The 'secrets' are out in the open and others talk about their sex addiction or cocaine usage as if it's ordinary; this helps dispel the shame

• They are not run by professionals but by people like us and so there's a feeling of belonging

They are all volunteers so there is no financial motive for anyone

• People can be very supportive and will offer assistance to help others attend meetings

• They are based on donations only and are affordable to anyone

THE LIMITATIONS OF 12-STEP MEETINGS ARE:

• They are open-access groups (many US people aren't comfortable with talking openly about their problems!)

° There are no facilitators and you have to rely on the structure to create the right environment

• A lot of robust opinions can be aired, with people wanting to tell you what to do, where to go and what to say - and the loudest voices often dominate

The anonymity is questionable in some groups; I know of a meeting that quadrupled in size in one week because word got around that a celebrity had attended

However you feel about groups, 12-Step meetings can be a fantastic starting point for depression. Identify how you medicate your depression, or what you feel is the main cause of your depression, and go to the appropriate 12-Step meeting. There will be one you will fit into. It is said that when you have attended six meetings in a row, the denial will start to lift and you can better experience your core difficulties.



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