When I was in middle school, I was heavily bullied, which led to large variety of mental health issues.
Victoria Caputo
When I was in middle school, I was heavily bullied, which led to large variety of mental health issues. With that being said, my parents pushed very hard for me to be in therapy, which at the time, was something that I was completely against. One time, my mother dragged me to a group therapy session, and I was extremely uncomfortable the whole time due to my crippling social anxiety. Just walking in and seeing all those people led to a full on panic attack. Forsyth (2019) says: “Socially anxious people, even when they join groups, do not actively participate; they can be identified by their silence, downcast eyes, and low speaking voices” (p. 98). This was definitely the role I took in that group. While I still struggle with intense social anxiety, I have grown in a lot of ways in the last fifteen years, and now, being a twenty seven year old young woman who has been through many, many struggles, my desire to help others overcomes my fear of social anxiety.
I am now an author, motivational speaker and mental health advocate. One of the many reasons that I have chosen to go back to school and pursue this masters degree is because I would like to start a mental health group in my community. A wide variety of mental health issues would be covered throughout the group’s duration. I view these groups similar to Alcoholic’s Anonymous, and the sizes would vary, depending on when people are in crisis mode or in need of extra support. There would be open meetings, where anyone who is interested can come and get information on mental health awareness. Given that mental illness effects everyone in some way, somehow, there is restrictions to members in terms of age, sexuality, gender, etc, and there would be no membership or entrance fee. There would also be closed meetings, where only people who struggle with mental illness can come for support. Each meeting would meet once a week, for about an hour and a half. The first thirty minutes would be a presentation or guest speaker, and the last sixty minutes would be more of a group discussion for anyone who wishes to talk. Jacobs, Et Al. (2016) says: “Being clear about the purpose of the group is perhaps the most important group leadership concept to be learned” (p. 57). The purpose of the open meeting would to help people who struggle with mental illness live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. When it comes to the closed meetings, there would a dual purpose. The first purpose of a closed meeting is the same as an open meeting, however, a closed would have a component of awareness, containing a purpose to educate people on mental health issues and how they can help someone who is struggling. Overall, the creation of this group would be meant to change and save lives.
Forsyth, D. (2019). Group dynamics. Seventh Edition. Cengage Learning.
Jacobs, E., Schimmel, C., Masson, R., & Harvill, R. (2016). Group counseling strategies and skills. Eight Edition. Cengage Learning.
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