Although this group would likely not be in the vicinity of anyone on this board, I'm wondering if you would utilize such a service in your community.
I make this inquiry because I've considered attempting to establish such a support network in my area. I've noticed that talking on this board has been incredibly therapeutic, and I wonder if offering the same sort of service in real life could be even more helpful. My concern is that those with social anxiety, agoraphobia, and the like wouldn't be apt to attend. Hear me out, as I detail my vision and the resources I have available.
I would play the role of organizer and facilitator. Yes I suffer from severe anxiety at times, BUT that's what makes me suited to hold such a group. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America makes it clear that it's considered appropriate for those who aren't mental health professionals to mediate such groups if appropriate guidelines are followed.
I would likely be able to procure a quiet spot at a local university, after hours, in order to hold the meetings, and there are faculty members I'm acquainted with, who are mental health professionals, who have expressed a willingness to sit in on such meetings at times, and act as speakers. This could be very beneficial to those with no access to mental health services, though of course it would not serve as a replacement for actual consoling.
I'm 30-years-old, and fairly well educated. I'm about to procure my master's, and I have experience running discussion groups. I'm a very anxiety-ridden person, but I've found venting works wonders (for me), and think my perspective and background could help me run such a group. I'm also very passionate about this subject, I've found being afflicted with this condition has made me much more empathetic, and I would like to do my part to ease the suffering from those whose journey through life is impeded by this often misunderstood ailment.
Wonderful Idea
Those that have social anxiety/and or cannot attend could always try and patch in though a weblink, or hold a webinar at the same time, very easy to do with a computer and a decent webcam, we used to use bluejeans but that was for business, im sure skype or google may have a better plan.
The solutions and answers and all out there, you just have to find them. You can completely overcome your anxiety and it can be controlled to the point where it doesn't affect your life at all.
The only way to do this is to research and talk to those who have the edcuation and experience on how to deal with it. I've always been very scientific to my approach, so I always talk about changing your perception of anxiety, learning to understand what it is and how the exact processes in the brain occur, to then realise how you can go about changing those processes and hence rewiring or switiching your brain to a developed or back to a normal state. I would never have understood this if it wasn't for fantastic researchers and neurologists that discovered this.
So I would definitely say this is a wonderful idea, mental health is so hidden, but lets change that. Lets make it well known and accepted, mental health should not be mental shame, it should be pride, pride that you have found your inner strength, because once you overcome these issues you become a much better and wiser person, we are all learning here so anything that can contribute to that is a great idea.
Thanks for the input. I especially enjoyed the idea about patching in the social anxiety folk via webchat, that's a totally feasible option. Overall, I know there's something cathartic and reassuring about knowing other people are experiencing symptoms comparable to mine (though I hate the fact that others are also suffering). Sometimes we may feel alone because this isn't a commonly discussed issue, but judging from this and other forums, it's prevalent enough to warrant the availability of more resources for fellow sufferers.
I've been through a lot of highs and lows with my anxiety. Recently it's been recurring with greater frequency and vigor, but the things that've helped ameliorate the situation for me are these types of forums in conjunction with CBT techniques I have found to be helpful in the past. I feel like exploring the commonalities and differences in our symptoms can help to expand our understanding of the malady.
Even reading your post just now helped to reinforce knowledge I already possess, and thus make me feel a bit more at ease. I realize my brain gets stuck in a loop, so to speak, and breaking out of that and "reprogramming" my thoughts is an imperative step.
I also feel like many of us with this condition have personality tendencies that can be harnessed for positive purposes. I am obsessive to a fault when it comes to my health, and quite stubborn when it comes to accepting my mind is the culprit, but that same sort of obstinate drive has allowed me to achieve my goals in the past.