Comparison of Self-Help Groups for Mental Health

This study examines and compares three international mental health self-help organizations: Recovery, Inc., Emotions Anonymous, and GROW International. The authors investigated membership characteristics, ideologies, meeting procedures, and the organizational characteristics of degree of centralization and formalization, roles of professionals, and sources of funding. The findings suggest differences in what types of clients benefit from participation in each of the three organizations, and counter criticisms of self-help groups.