If you are unaware, such global support groups as AA, NA, etc, all started out with someone just wanting a local support group. These individuals started one, and as a result we have such global groups as AA and the like to just help others gain support.

With PTSD though there is no requirement for any structure, as that is not what works the best for PTSD. You are far better to have a relaxed environment where sufferers and spouses can be in one group openly discussing all aspects of trauma, life with PTSD, etc. This is how both a sufferer and carer come to understand more about one anothers needs, desires and wants, and what simply just need to become boundaries for another regardless of personal wants.

A group though cannot be people agreeing with one another, nor arguing with one another... a support group must have an aim to push one another into things that simply are not always comfortable. To put all participants outside their comfort levels and grow as a group and individually. I would not suggest to adopt an AA approach to a PTSD support group, as that will often turn people away from such a formality. A forced welcome for all new members of a group though is a good idea, as they have taken the step to be their, so why not be pushed a little further and give a little introduction about themselves, their trauma, their family life, etc, just so they can take that feeling away with them which often gives them a more open and welcome feeling to then return and continue support.

You do not need to be a counsellor, therapist or the like. To have a PTSD support group you should simply have people with PTSD, that's it. You always need one person to control the group though, being a moderator if you like, just like any support group has. This person ensures people spread their discussion around, never allow one person to do all the talking, they push all members of the group to participate and get the most from support.

Bringing in help is a good idea on a staggered approach. For example, if you start a support group for PTSD, then you would approach therapists, counsellors, physicians who specialise in trauma therapy to possibly make a visit once in a while to share some of their experience with members. It not only helps sufferers and carers find respectful mental health professionals, it helps those who are scared of mental health professionals to possibly take that next step and see one for themselves. The rewards are beneficial to both parties. You just need to find the local community organisations, communal therapies and so forth, approach them that you have a group up and running and if they would like to give some of their time for free to talk with the group, give some pointers, just sit in with the group and listen to get an idea or better understand PTSD themselves. You will find plenty of help for such things.

You do not need to register a non-profit organisation, you don't need to typically do anything of the like, you just need to be responsible for doing the ground work and acting. You might want to approach therapy organisations if you can put a flyer in their window that you made on your computer. Like any marketing, you go where those with PTSD would visit. Military establishments, rape crisis centres, the list is long... public places such as coffee shops or shopping centres often have community notice boards in which you could post such an announcement. People need to eat, so even with PTSD whilst they may not seek help, they still shop to get food. Think openly.

A group usually starts with one person, the organiser. That person can moderate the group initially, that person can even hand such moderation to someone who joins the group later on who is better suited as such a person. Do not try and have control of people in a group, you will cause more chaos than good. You need to be an open person, non-controlling, easy going that can allow others to help and encourage such acts, not hinder and try to control everything yourself to feel a feeling for need or want. You can learn to become this if you want.

You can use a common structure if you desire, like "PTSD Forum Support Group", where a set of common goals and structure is developed over time from creating such groups. I am quite open to all these matters, as long as people are being helped and pushed, empathised and motivated, exposure therapy as a group even. There are no bounds.

Many groups start of by simply using one persons home, once a month, once a fortnight, once a week if the interest is present. The choices are yours and you obviously change things as a group develops. In a city with millions of people for example, you may start a group with small numbers, usually no more than 10 - 15 plus spouses, for control and moderation purposes. As your group grows you may ask a few who travel further but live quite locally to one another if they can start a group in their area... so the cycle begins again. You provide them support to get a group going.

Group structure is very open when it comes to PTSD. One of the best things you could do is have it the least formal as possible to ensure members feeling comfortable as possible during trauma discussion. Getting together for BBQ's, social outing at a coffee shop, etc... all good things to do and obviously create different social environments in which to put all members to grow confidence and help regain social skills.

How much or little a person talks is up to them, but you will typically find stronger members of any group who need to encourage, question and push the quieter members. Like any group, you will find those who simply do not get along. With group support you must check your differences at the door, align for a common goal of support, then pick them up on your way out and go your own ways.

There are many ways, so many methods that can be used to provide group support I could never mention them all. Really it is about just finding another person to start with, then another, another, and so the group grows over time. As a group grows you impliment change to better the overall group concept. If you use a different members house each time, you could agree to everyone bringing one food / snack supplement, so no one person bears all the cost. You have your group and snack, tea or coffee, etc. You should never encourage alcohol at any group meeting, EVER. Drugs and alcohol have no place at such a support group. If members arrive drunk or drugged, they should be escorted home as they will often be nothing more than distracting the entire time. You need some basic rules, but otherwise a group support for you locally is open to each countries and location specific needs.

As a group grows you may want to approach local community facilities, libraries, churches, community outlets, where they may allocate you the free use of a room for your meetings at some points, inbetween other social locations you choose.

If you have specific questions or discussion that should be talked about here, then please respond to this thread with such. All else will be deleted though. This forum will be kept very on topic at all times.

Anthony I have considered starting up a group, but I really don't know anything about it. I know thre is a need for one though. My interest isn't just the PTSD issue, but a combination of that and crime victim support (both of which are seriously lacking in this area).
Please advise.

You can start by approaching local organisations, counsellors, therapists, etc... those who see people with PTSD and put your thoughts to them. You can then create flyers and the like, advertise within those sort of establishments and create a group. It is hard to get them started, could even take you years, but eventually once you get one going you will find more and more will come.

I am a veteran from the first Gulf War with PTSD. We do not have a vet center close to us and I would like to start a support group. I also have a couple of friends with non-military related PTSD. Do you know if it would be ok for the support group to be a mixture of military and non-military sufferers?

Thanks,
Tanya

A support group can be whatever you want it to be. I would encourage a mixture, as it tends to get military focused minds away from the thinking that PTSD is just a majority military issue, when in fact it is much larger outside the military. People tend to focus on military because it is the largest common group, but not the largest affected of the population. The more the merry I say.

Thank you for your response. Don't know if I would call it merry though. ;)