Page 22 - Issue 05 2nd edition
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The CNBC community is a bit like a Here are some potential benefits found
country/military/large organisation, there through support groups:
are a lot of counties/units/departments in
it. Although we all belong to the same • Realizing you are not alone
community there are different facets that
mean we need to find the right place to be It’s interesting to hear people describe
within that community and that right their first support group meeting. They
place will probably change over time as will often say, “You know, until I went to
you progress through the the group I thought I was the only person
healing/acceptance process. in the world with my problem. I was so
surprised to find that everyone in the
Let’s look at some of the benefits and group had the same issues as me.”
possible drawbacks to belonging to a
support group. If the negatives are This realization usually brings about a
outweighing the positives it is obviously feeling of relief, by gaining the
time to move on. Also belonging to a understanding, perhaps for the very first
number of groups will allow you to take time, that others have similar concerns
the best of each of them whilst the and are there to help and encourage you.
negatives won’t be so apparent because
you get support elsewhere. • Expressing your feelings
When you join a new support group, you After you realize you aren’t alone and are
may be nervous about sharing personal part of a safe and supportive
issues with people you don't know. At environment, you will begin to feel
first, you may benefit from simply comfortable sharing your feelings and life
listening/reading. Over time, however, circumstances with the group. This can be
contributing your own ideas and a very therapeutic and healing experience,
experiences may help you get more out of particularly as you find that others in the
a support group. group will listen nonjudgmentally and will
praise you for your openness and
Benefits of support groups courage.
The common experience among members • Learning helpful information
of a support group often means they have
similar feelings, worries, everyday Support groups offer lots of practical tips
problems, treatment decisions or and resources for dealing with identified
treatment side effects and of course a concerns, and members share their
similar outcome. Participating in a group success stories and the strategies that
provides you with an opportunity to be helped them move forward in their
with people who are likely to have a recovery. Some groups focus on learning
common purpose and likely to understand and practicing specific coping skills. Many
one another. groups will also provide recommendations
22 The Childless Not By Choice Magazine: Sept/Oct 2018 Issue #05
