When I formed a local endometriosis support group in 2001 (in another city from where I was first a group member), I took a class that another support group leader had highly recommended. It was excellent!
The class was on the topic: "facilitating self-help groups" and was taught by a trainer at my local branch of the Mental Health Association (see the National Mental Health Association website below):
http://www.nmha.org/
I found the class VERY helpful and it enabled me to learn some basic principles that I could apply when facilitating an endometriosis support group. About 20 people took this class alongside me; their reasons for taking the class were many and varied. Some people were taking the class as a requirement for their jobs. Others, like me, took the class because they wanted to become better informed before volunteering their time as a support group leader or meeting facilitator.
Today I did some searching on the Internet on the topic of "self-help" and I came across an interesting site:
http://www.selfhelpweb.org/
I did not have time to review the website in its entirety but the sections I skimmed through were thought-provoking and interesting to me.
What do you think...?
+ What is the value of self-help?
+ What is the difference between a self-help group and a support group, if any?
+ What is the significance of "giving back"?
+ How can it HELP your health to volunteer??
DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE HEALTH BENEFITS TO YOU FROM VOLUNTEERING???
That's right! Volunteering your time can give YOU health benefits!!
There is research to support this...
See the following website:
http://www.getinvolved.gov/newsroom/press/factsheet_health.asp
Perhaps you don't have a local endometriosis support group. Maybe you'd like to start one to help others in your area AND to help yourself? Networking with fellow patients is VERY HELPFUL! I have learned this from personal experience.
Here is an interesting quote I found at the "Get Involved!" link above:
“People who do volunteer work are much less likely to suffer illness. The close interpersonal relationships and community involvement that occur with volunteer service are tailor-made to enhance the healing process.”
—The Healing Power of Service by Edward V. Brown
I am not familiar with Edward V. Brown but I think his quote above is very true... based on my own personal experience. Support groups are certainly no cure for endometriosis and other chronic illnesses. However the power & value of networking with fellow patients cannot be emphasized enough!
What do you think? How do you benefit from the support of fellow endometriosis patients?
Have you ever stopped to think that "giving back" or volunteering could possibly give YOU health benefits?????
Please check out the sites above and see what you think!
Who knows? Maybe someone reading this will get inspired to volunteer time to a local endometriosis support group OR maybe even start an endometriosis support group if there isn't one available locally?
Let me know what you think about the idea that volunteering can enhance you immune system and lower your blood pressure, as was mentioned on the "Get Involved!" site above. It's amazing, isn't it??
The above site also says, "Volunteering helps to rebuild communities and solve serious social problems. And, according to research, it can also improve your physical and mental health!"
By helping each other, we can truly help ourselves and facilitate healing. It's a win-win for all involved.
I'd love to hear everyone's feedback on this one... :)
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
