Barriers and facilitators of leaders' initiation of community self-help groups for well-being: A mixed methods study

We explored the perceived barriers and facilitators faced by leaders when initiating self-help groups (SHGs) for emotional well-being using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design that combined focus groups and an online survey. Leaders, educators, and technicians from supportive organizations participated in four focus groups (n = 22), and 46% (n = 30) of trainees from SHGs leadership training courses completed the survey. Thematic analysis of qualitative data, combined with descriptive and textual analyses of survey responses, revealed two overarching themes: learning to lead and leading in practice. Early success of SHGs was linked to leaders' self-motivation and targeted leadership training. Facilitators included shared task distribution, horizontal relationships, and active dialogue facilitated leadership, while barriers comprised perceived role overload and logistical burdens. Survey findings reinforced the importance of co-responsibility, key training elements, and external support, including meeting spaces, integration, and publicity. These results suggest that initiating and maintaining mutual SHGs for emotional well-being may require recognizing the central role of leaders. Targeted training, professional accompaniment, and a stable community network are essential supports.