Transcribed by https://otter.ai and lightly edited.
Jenna Solomon 0:00
Before we begin, I just want to flag that this episode contains references to substance abuse. Hello and welcome to Ease in Mzansi. I’m Jenna Solomon, and this is the podcast where we spotlight mental health support groups that can help us cope with the all too personal impact of South Africa’s big socio economic issues.
0:30
The term support group may be a new one for you. You may be unsure as to whether it’s the right space for you and the challenges you may be having. In this episode, I find out more about when a support group could work and what your role as a support group member is. First up, I got clarity from clinical psychologist Beulah Marks about where a support group sits in relation to other mental health interventions. Beulah, how would you define a support group, and how does it differ from group therapy?
Beulah Marks 1:00
My understanding is that a support group would comprise of lay people having a similar issue that they want support around, whereas a therapy group would be led by some sort of probably mental health specialist, like a psychologist, and the aims might be different. So in a psychotherapeutic group, the aim might be to understand the individual’s dynamic as it’s happening and shown within the group process, whereas in a support group it’s really learning from each other, normalizing experience, feeling empowered around the fact that other people are also experiencing a similar challenge. When would you recommend that someone joins a support group?
Beulah Marks 1:45
I suppose this is a “it depends” answer, because let’s say the group’s purpose is something like addiction, for instance. Then it would be practical and psychologically sound that that person is not in active addiction, so they’re not intoxicated, for instance. So that would be one very specific requirement. The other would be that the person is able to reflect on whatever the difficulty is. So maybe they’ve already had some work done elsewhere so that they can better manage and hold themselves in the group they’re not at a very acute state.
Jenna Solomon 2:22
I also spoke to Lezahn Mohamed, who runs a support group for unemployed graduates. She debunks some common misconceptions that new support group members may have, and revealed how you can make a support group work for you. Lezahn, what are your group rules, and are there any misconceptions people might have when they join your group?
Lezahn Mohamed 2:43
While it is a consensual group, I do let them know as well that it is a safe space – non denominational. That’s one of the things. We don’t talk about finances. We don’t talk about anything political. What I’ve noticed is most of the people that do join and ask the sort of thing that we’re offering jobs. And I’m like, “No, we don’t provide jobs. We actually assist you with the fact that you are unemployed.” So that’s one of the expectations they do have as well.
Jenna Solomon 3:10
So what do you guys actually do in the group? And does everybody have to talk?
Lezahn Mohamed 3:15
We catch up with each other. Just check in to see how you are. If there’s anything that has happened. We share personal experiences. We provide emotional support if anything has happened. So for the new members that do join, you introduce yourself and then, yeah, we just talk. I’ll ask them if there’s anything they’re not willing to share, yeah, and if they have any expectations. So I’ll let that out before the time. And then what the objective is, I’ll have like an icebreaker that I prepared for that specific day. But generally, it’s always conversational. You should only share as much as you want to and as much as you feel comfortable. I’ve had a person join the group just to be able to sit in that environment, being able to relate to the people, and just having that safe space that you can talk to or listen in, or know that there are people that are experiencing similarities to what you are going through. So that was also one of the things as well. So you don’t have to share if you don’t want to.
Jenna Solomon 4:10
I know you’ve got a WhatsApp group, but are there any other things you guys do between sessions?
Lezahn Mohamed 4:17
So as much as someone can provide you with advice, you also actively have to change your perception of things, your points of view. So yes, you’ve got a support group, but because the support group is only twice a month, you also need to be able to express how you feel when you do feel a certain way. So that’s how journaling came about. And then they would go and journal, and they’ll come back to me, and they’ll come over here, sometimes I don’t have the words. So now instead of writing down, you’re doing color coded journaling. That’s more for the men, that’s one of the best ways that you can find a support group being beneficial. If you actually proactively do something to assist yourself,
Jenna Solomon 4:58
if you’re unsure about whether there’s a support group that is right for you. You can always contact the support group leader and see what they say. You’ll find a link to current groups in the show notes for general mental health support, including referral to support groups. Contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s counselling hotline on 08 105, 67 567. That’s it from Ease in Mzansi. As we like to say here in South Africa, “sterkte en hou vas “, “hamba kahle” . Chat again next time.