Welcome to Group 61                                             Patron Dr James Lergessner 

Through Friendship to Mental Health

 

Group 61 is a voluntary, not for profit organization devoted to mental health.

The purpose is to enable fullness of life through friendship with people affected by mental health issues.

A Volunteer Support Person is assigned to a person affected by mental health issues (Friend). The volunteer takes his / her Friend for a morning or afternoon outing each week. It is a continuing relationship, which builds the friendship, trust grows and healing happens.

"Professor Manfred Bleuler's intensive, life long research led him to the conclusion that the establishment of a supportive relationship is an indispensible aspect of effective treatment. He believed, furthermore, that in this respect the physician's role is not necessarily of greater value than that of other helpers."  Watkins John, Healing Schizophrenia 2006 p 438.             

Group 61 has brought me out of my shell. I am now comfortable meeting and talking to people.   Diane.

You don't know how wonderful it is to have someone sensible you trust to talk to. It is like nectar to the gods.   Madaleine.

We took our Friend for a long drive recently...How different from when we first met him, when he would curl up in his chair and talk of panic attacks whenever we mentioned going out.   Alan (a volunteer support person)

 

HAVE FUN WITH 61