Link – We need a sponsorship model for mental health
Could the model in use for years for substance abuse treatment through AA and NA work for mental health?
The article below lays out some of the challenges, and they are real, though many of the concerns also exist in AA as well. (What to do if you and your sponsor are both backsliding, for example.)
On the other hand, one of the things I’ve seen in the online world over the years is the importance of knowing that others have been down this path that you are on. Maybe not the same exact path, but similar enough that you can have hope that there is an other side to the journey. Would more groups and the ability to interact with others who are at various points in their own path be helpful? Could be.
One of the primary complaints I have had about group therapy, for example, is that you graduate out as you recover from your mental health struggle. By it’s very nature, the group consists of people still struggling, which can create a dysfunctional group if you’re not very careful with the leadership of the group. Yet we know group therapy can be very helpful to some people. The ability to connect with others who are, or have been, where you are is a powerful tool against isolationism and stigma.
Would an ongoing group like AA provide even more of that? Or would it provide an excuse for people not to get better because of constantly being in the environment? I don’t have answers to those questions, but it might be worth looking in to.
https://theoutline.com/post/6729/we-need-a-sponsorship-model-for-mental-health?zd=1&zi=usnlhf3i
