Guidance for Groups
Healing can and does happen individually . . . but most healing happens within community. Depressed individuals often feel isolated, alone, and misunderstood. That’s why groups centered on discussing depression and sharing personal experiences can be so powerful. Such groups are greatly needed because depression is recognized as one of the most widespread mental health issues in the world. Research reveals that
- in the last year, 10.3 million adults in the United States have experienced a depressive episode that caused some sort of severe impairment;
- almost half of those with a depression diagnosis have also been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder; and
- approximately 15 percent of US adults will experience depression during their lives.[1]
Despite the prevalence of depression, some people feel there’s a stigma attached to this condition, as if they should “just get over it,” have more faith, or act happy so they don’t bring everyone else down with them. Worse, many depressed people feel deeply flawed at their core, falsely believing that their emotional struggles make them different from others, or even inferior.
A group centered on the topic of depression should, above all, seek to be loving, gracious, and accepting. Everyone on earth struggles with something, whether physical ailments, emotional problems, relationship disappointments, past traumas, spiritual disillusionment, addictive behaviors, and on and on. We are truly fellow travelers on the journey toward wholeness.
With this in mind, here are several suggestions for using this workbook effectively in a group setting:
- It’s best for one person to serve as the facilitator, setting the tone for the gathering, guiding the discussion, and keeping the meeting focused.
- The facilitator should prepare ahead of time by reviewing the week’s exercises and deciding which topics and questions would be appropriate and helpful within a group setting.
- Be sensitive to the discussion process. Try to give everyone an opportunity to speak, and when necessary, gently redirect the focus of those who tend to dominate a discussion.
- Be careful not to put anyone on the spot or make anyone feel pressured to share. The questions and assessments in this workbook cover some very personal and sensitive topics. Encourage group members to share their answers and thoughts if they feel comfortable doing so—and give them the freedom to stay quiet if they wish to.
- Use this workbook in conjunction with the Healing Depression for Life book, if possible. Ideally, the two go hand in hand, with the book providing thorough explanations of the whole-person approach and the workbook following up with practical exercises. However, each section of the workbook begins with an “At a Glance” summary of the corresponding book-chapter content, followed by an “Essential Ideas” portion. So even those who have not read the book, or missed particular chapters, can get up to speed quickly and find the discussion helpful.
The sections of the workbook that best lend themselves to group discussion are “Essential Ideas . . . and Your Insights” and “Dig Deeper.” Both of these sections include several questions and space for group members’ responses. Some participants might like to share their journaling response from the “Change Your Story, Change Your Life” section. The bottom line is to use any of this material that will be most helpful in engaging your group members in the discussion process.