Support Group - Michigan Diabetes Outreach Network

y Be specific about what you want: nurturing, support, feedback, etc. Don’t accept help that
isn’t exactly what you want.
y When asking for time from the group, stay within the time limits you’ve agreed to. Negotiate
for more time if you need it. Don’t give up your time unless you really want to.
y If you have feelings left over from the previous group, express them at the start of the
meeting.
y Express your fears and validate the fear of others at the start of the meeting in a safe,
structured way. The purpose of expressing our fears is to find out what is real about them and
to take care of them.
y Express appreciation to each other, to facilitators or to the whole group during the meeting
and during wind-up. We all need to hear that our actions and energy are appreciated.
Reprinted by permission from the New Jersey Self-Help Clearinghouse
Adapted from materials by Ontario Self-help Network Program/Changing places: From Facilitator to Mutual Support (1989). L. Lawyer, S. Mac-
Donald – Lawson, L. Timmons, Y.W.C.A
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