Community Resource Support Group Meeting

Learning Objective: Community Resources

Introduction

Many people receiving treatment for mental health disorders do so in community based settings such as outpatient treatment facilities, private clinics, residential or day treatment programs, and individual and/or family counseling. For clients with substance abuse or addictions problems, recovery programs and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and others, provide continuing support, usually based on a 12 step program (abstinence, altered lifestyle and peer support). Because substance abuse is a family illness (meaning it affects all members of the family in some way), family members and friends may also need support to cope with their feelings. Many support groups are available to family and friend also.

Instructions:

· Using the telephone directory, community agency listings or internet, identify a substance abuse/ Addictions support group in a community of your choice.

· Determine if the support group is ‘closed’ (private – only available to persons enrolled in group) or if the group is ‘open’ to the public. If the group is closed, you may want to call the contact person and explain that you are a nursing student and would like to attend a group meeting to learn more about the group and the services offered.

· You may choose the type, location, date and time of their selected support group meeting; however, all meetings must be approved by your clinical faculty. It may be a good idea to go in two’s.

· Write a minimum two (2) page paper describing your experience (no more than 3 pages) and submit to the Clinical Assignment drop-box area on Blackboard. Include the following:

· Describe the purpose of the group

· Brief history of the group (what type of organization is this AA, NA, etc?)

· Demographics of the people attending (primarily male/female, young, old, ethnicity, etc)

· Therapeutic Milieu – what did you observe about the environment? Was it conducive to communication (semi-circle or rows of chairs), etc?

· Is there a group leader? How are people expected to act in this group – are group rules established etc?

· What is your overall impression?

· Include a minimum of three (3) references relevant to the topic. Title page and reference page is not counted in page limit.

· Write the paper in a scholarly format using APA.

The community support group meeting report is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Your grade will reflect your overall effort and thoroughness in completing this assignment. Any student receiving an ‘unsatisfactory’ grade, may be required to re-submit part or all of the assignment based on the discretion of the clinical faculty.

Community Support Group Meeting Report Grading Rubric

Criteria

Satisfactory (2)

Unsatisfactory (0-1)

Comments

Introduction

Describes the purpose of the group and brief background of the support group organization ie: AA, NA, GA etc.

Limited description of the group purpose and history of the support group organization ie: AA, NA, GA etc.

Demographics

Describes demographics of the people attending – relates to purpose of the group

Superficial description of demographics of the people attending.

Therapeutic environment and group / individual interactions

Describes therapeutic milieu / environment Discusses group interaction – therapeutic/non-therapeutic communication.

Minimal discussion of therapeutic milieu / environment Discusses group interaction – therapeutic/non-therapeutic communication

Overall impression

Offered

Not included

Presentation and Format

Min 2 pages, no more than 3.

Reference page is not counted in page limit

APA format, no errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation.

Consistent, accurate use of terminology.

Includes at least 3 references no older than 5 years.

Multiple errors (>5) in APA format, spelling, grammar, punctuation, inconsistent use of terminology, unclear language, fewer than 3 articles, no reference page.