An assessment of the needs of mutual-help groups

Assessed the needs of mutual-help groups in relation to how self-help clearinghouses can best assist. Most important problems centered on member involvement, attendance and recruitment, lack of public awareness, and finances. Most important needs were for greater public education and more referrals to groups. Significant differences were found across different types of organizational affiliation for the problems of recruitment of members, lack of public awareness, and problem members. The dynamic nature of mutual-help groups may naturally produce many of the turnover, attendance, and involvement problems which in turn generates the ongoing need to recruit new members in part through greater public awareness. Many of the goals and needs of mutual-help groups, coupled with the large number of group members, may lead to significant social and policy change in health and mental health services.