Facilitator Guide 3: Principles of Support

Use the Principles of Support When:

• Someone in the group is negative or hopeless about an issue over which he or she has little or no control
• Someone’s personal issue can be connected to a universal goal that we are all striving for

Why the Principles of Support Are Important:

• To connect us to our highest aspirations in dealing with mental illness
• To get everyone talking about their reflections on these Principles

If the group begins talking about stigma, guilt, difficulties in coping, treatment resistance, shift the group to Principles of Support.

Steps

1. Use a strategy to direct the person to the Principles of Support Chart on the wall.

   Direct: “Let’s take a look at the Principles of Support and find something we can strive for when things get tough.”

   Support: “A lot of us struggle with that particular issue.”

2. Ask the person what Principle might apply to his/her situation.

   “What Principle might guide you in this situation?”

3. Ask the group members what applied to or helped them when they were in a similar situation.

   “What applied to or helped you in a similar situation?”

4. Get a group discussion going about the Principles.

   “Why don’t we discuss this for a minute?”

If the group starts naming the Principles and not discussing them, ask, “How do we do that?” about one of the Principles mentioned. Remember to get a discussion going.