Kelly K M, Sautter F, Tugrul K, Weaver M D
Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, KY 41017.
Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 1990 Jun;4(3):161-5. doi: 10.1016/0883-9417(90)90004-5.
A self-help movement for people with chronic mental illness is growing but is not as advanced as the system of self-help for the chemically dependent. Barriers to organized self-help among those with chronic mental illness include stigma, denial, and the debilitating effects of the illnesses themselves. The authors developed a coping group on a 12-bed psychiatric unit to address these problems. The group was designed to strengthen ties with a local self-help club and to foster the idea that people with chronic mental illness can have a positive impact on the course of their illness. Mental health consumers who were successfully coping with their illnesses were guest speakers and role models for group members. The coping group, which was well received by participants, stimulated research questions and suggested potential modifications of clinical practice. In recent years, a mental health consumer movement has gathered momentum. Individuals who have been receiving psychiatric services are now clamoring for a more active role. There are currently several national consumer organizations that are growing in power and visibility. Some self-help groups, like Recovery Inc., are primarily therapy groups concerned with personal growth. Others, like the National Mental Health Consumers Association, are involved in supporting research and empowerment through political action as well as focusing on mutual-aid groups.
一场针对慢性精神疾病患者的自助运动正在兴起，但不如针对药物成瘾者的自助体系那样成熟。慢性精神疾病患者群体中开展有组织自助活动的障碍包括污名化、否认态度以及疾病本身造成的衰弱影响。作者们在一个拥有12张床位的精神科病房设立了一个应对小组来解决这些问题。该小组旨在加强与当地一个自助俱乐部的联系，并树立这样一种观念，即慢性精神疾病患者能够对其病情发展产生积极影响。成功应对自身疾病的心理健康消费者作为特邀演讲者和小组成员的榜样。这个应对小组受到了参与者的好评，引发了研究问题，并为临床实践提出了可能的改进建议。近年来，一场心理健康消费者运动势头渐起。一直在接受精神科服务的个人现在迫切要求发挥更积极的作用。目前有几个全国性的消费者组织，其影响力和知名度都在不断提高。一些自助团体，如康复公司，主要是关注个人成长的治疗团体。其他团体，如全国心理健康消费者协会，则通过政治行动参与支持研究和增强权能，同时关注互助团体。
