9. Five Principles for work in self help groups

Self help groups have developed some principles of work on the basis of many years of experience. Applying these principles is a good way to support the work of the self help group.

First Principle

All members participate in the self help group voluntarily and because they themselves are affected by the group’s topic

A prerequisite for membership in a self help group is that the member is affected by the same illness, disability, dependence or psychosocial conflict situation for which the group exists. It is not possible to be represented through a another person. Relatives of affected persons generally have their own group. Participation in a self help group is strictly voluntary. That also means that every person may leave the group whenever he or she thinks that would be best.

Second Principle

All members are equal and determine the group work together.

How the group works, whether it is open to new members or closed, which subjects are discussed, which activities are undertaken -- these are all decided by the group together in accordance with democratic principles. There is no group leader with special rights. All members have the same rights and obligations.

Third Principle

Everything which is discussed in the group remains in the group and nothing is ever passed to third parties (obligation to maintain secrecy).

Mutual trust is a prerequisite for good work together in the group. To be able to speak openly and honestly about one's own situation, each member must be certain that everything which is said will be treated as confidential. Therefore, the members should all agree to each other, that nothing will be passed on to outside parties.

Fourth Principle

Every member is in the group primarily in order to do something for himself rather than for the others.

Difficulties frequently arise when someone wants to help the others without doing something for himself or herself, say because he or she is speaking out of personal conviction or has experienced and overcome something similar in the past. Even the best intended advice with which such a member overwhelms the others can be problematic.

Fifth Principle

Every member is responsible both for himself and for what happens in the group.

Everyone decides for himself, or herself, whether or to what extent situations, group happenings and conversations address his or her own concerns. In this way, each member contributes actively and responsibly to what happens in the group and how its work is structured. Each member should tell the others when in his or her opinion something is going wrong within the group. Then possibilities for changing things can be considered together.