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Empowerment and self-help agency practice for people with mental disabilities

Authors :
Segal, Steven P.
Silverman, Carol
Temkin, Tanya
Source :
Social Work. November 1993, Vol. 38 Issue 6, p705, 8 p.
Publication Year :
1993

Abstract

During the past 15 years, there has been tremendous growth in the number of self-help groups and agencies for mental health clients. This article examines the self-help perspective in relation to problems with traditional mental health services and the need for client-run services. Self-help agencies see their goal as empowerment on an individual, organizational, and societal level. They strive to accomplish this by helping members obtain needed resources and develop coping skills; providing means of enhancing members' self-concept and lessening the stigma of perceived mental disability; giving members control in the agencies' governance, administration, and service delivery; and furthering member involvement in social policy-making. The goal of this article is not to endorse the self-help perspective but to use it as the basis for raising research questions that will further the mental health practitioner's understanding of this service modality.<br />Self-help is an attempt by people with a mutual problem to take control over the circumstances of their lives. Founded on the principle that people who share a disability have [...]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00378046
Volume :
38
Issue :
6
Database :
Gale General OneFile
Journal :
Social Work
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsgcl.14794917