Greg Meissen

Understanding How Participation in a Consumer-Run Organization Relates to Recovery

The goal of this study was to examine how different types of participation in a consumer-run organization (CRO) are related to recovery. More specifically, this study uses structural equation modeling to examine the relative impact of empowering and socially supportive participation experiences on progress towards recovery among 250 CRO members from 20 CROs. An empowering participation experience refers to involvement in leadership roles and contribution to organizational functioning. A socially supportive participation experience refers to social involvement in mutually supportive friendships with intimacy and sharing. Results indicate that both types of participation are associated with recovery, although a socially supportive participation experience maintains a stronger relationship with recovery than an empowering participation experience. Findings are consistent with the idea that CROs should encourage both types of participation. Drawing from over ten years of experience supporting CROs, the discussion section explores several strategies CROs can use to foster empowering and socially supportive participation experiences.

Developing Communities of Leaders: Outcomes of a Statewide Initiative

Community leadership programs are the most common approach to leadership development in the United States and traditionally emphasize community education and professional networking. Directors and volunteer board members from 17 local community leadership programs participated in the Kansas Community Leadership Initiative (KCLI) designed to enhance their community leadership skills. Participants gained new insights about themselves and others, frequently used the leadership skills in professional and personal relationships, and had future intentions to further incorporate what they had learned into their leadership programs and communities. Insights for creating and sustaining change in leadership programs and initiatives are presented.

An Examination of the Integration of Certified Peer Specialists into Community Mental Health Centers

The formal role of Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is a recent addition to the mental health field. CPSs are people in recovery employed within the mental health system, mostly by community mental health centers, to provide support through sharing life experiences with those working toward recovery from mental illness. This brief report examines participant’s experiences being a CPS, responsibilities and activities as a CPS, and integration into community mental health centers. Findings suggest that CPSs demonstrate high levels of communal orientation, job satisfaction, workplace integration and organizational support and are well received in mental health centers.

Community Development through Community Leadership Programs: Insights from a Statewide Community Leadership Initiative

Community leadership programs (CLPs) represent a mechanism for the development of leadership skills and concepts. Yet, CLPs have focused primarily on networking and providing community information to participants. The Kansas Community Leadership Initiative (KCLL) was a statewide leadership initiative designed to improve the leadership capacity of 17 communities. The KCLI provided leadership skills and concepts to CLP directors and board members who were in a position to change their local CLPs to be more focused on leadership skills and concepts. Community residents who graduated from CLPs reported positive beliefs about the leadership skills and concepts, reported confidence when using them, and reported using them in work and community settings. However, they were faced with several challenges, including difficulty getting others to recognize the benefits of the leadership skills and concepts. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of the need for community leadership and development.

Starting Self-Help Groups: Empowering Roles for Social Workers

ABSTRACT Each year thousands of self-help groups are started. Many people starting these groups turn toward social workers for assistance. Better understanding of the satisfactions, frustrations, and tasks involved in starting groups would help social workers serve people starting groups. The current study explores 37 founders of self-help groups to better understand the satisfactions, frustrations, and tasks involved. Results show that founders are interested in helping others and find the relationships they develop rewarding. They struggle with the organizational aspects of starting a group. Insights regarding the development of self-help groups are provided, as well as how social workers can assist people starting self-help groups.

Consumer-Run Drop-In Centers: Current State and Future Directions

Consumer-run drop-in centers are a popular form of mental health self-help that typically requires external funding. The drop-in center can serve as a foundation for many other organizational pursuits. In addition to organizing recreational activities, drop-in centers can host self-help groups, bring in speakers from the community, offer classes to members, organize public awareness campaigns about mental illness, volunteer in the community, and work with policy makers to improve the public mental health system. This chapter will review research on several different facets of these organizations including their activities, organizational structure, evidence base, funding support, and community relations. Strategies to enhance the organizational effectiveness and peer support of consumer run drop-in centers are outlined with attention to enhancing empowerment and recovery. The chapter concludes by considering future directions for research and practice.

A Statewide Collaboration to Build the Leadership and Organizational Capacity of Consumer-Run Organizations (CROs)

Mental health consumer-run organizations (CROs) are a heterogeneous group of recovery-oriented settings founded on peer support and mutual aid. This chapter focuses on consumer-run organizations in Kansas. The discussion begins with the history of the consumer movement on a national level, followed by the history of CROs in Kansas. The next section consists of an in-depth commentary about the collaborative relationship between the Center for Community Support and Research (CCSR) and Kansas CROs and is followed by a brief overview of research studies conducted by CCSR to assess impact and capacity needs of CROs. The chapter concludes with a focus on the future of CROs and the future of the consumer movement in Kansas.

ASSESSING THE NEEDS AND STRENGTHS OF SELF-HELP GROUPS: OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET HEALTH CARE NEEDS

Over 15 years ago the Self-Help Network, a statewide clearinghouse for self-help groups, conducted a needs assessment of groups. Findings from that needs assessment provided direction for the activities of the Self-Help Network and insights for health and human service professionals. Health care has changed dramatically over the past 15 years, including interest in alternative treatments, higher costs, managed care, and greater use of Web-based information. It is difficult to determine what impact, if any, these changes have had on the needs of self-help groups. Consequently, the Self-Help Network conducted another asset and needs assessment of groups. Findings show that groups primarily need public awareness and referrals. Groups struggle with organizational issues such as finding meeting locations and shared leadership. The primary benefits of groups are the sharing between members, followed by information and education. Implications for health and human service professionals are discussed, including insights on how they can provide referrals and technical assistance to groups. Over the past half century, self-help groups have become a prominent component of healthcare systems across the world. Yet because of their grassroots nature, the existence of self-help groups was frequently only known through word of mouth.

Tipping a Community One Person at a Time: Utilizing Social Marketing Strategies for Community Change

Tipping a community one person at a time: Utilizing social marketing strategies for community change Tami Bradley a , Greg Meissen b , Jacqueline Fisher c , Jeff Usher d & Vera Bothner e a Vice President for Communications at the Kansas Health Foundation b Director of the Self‐‐Help Network: Center for Community Support and Research, Wichita State University c Principal Investigator and Associate Director of the Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development, University of Kansas d Program Officer at the Kansas Health Foundation e Communications Program Manager at the Kansas Health Foundation