Ed.Madara@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Ed Madara) (09/21/90)
Index Number: 10566 If you could use some free assistance in locating or developing a member- run self-help group, here are services of the American Self-Help Clearinghouse. > INFORMATION AND REFERRAL: For FINDING an existing mutual support group or network for any particular disability, illness, addiction, or other stressful life problem, dial the voice phone (201) 625-7101 (T.D.D. line 625-9053) weekdays between 9AM and 5PM Eastern time. Staff and volunteers seek to provide callers with information and contacts on any national self-help group(s) that deal with their particular concern. If no appropriate national group exists, and the caller is interested in the possibility of joining with others to start a local group, the Clearinghouse can often provide information on a model group operating somewhere in the country, or give the name of an individual who wants to start a new network and is looking for others to help him/her develop it. They will also always provide you with information on any state or local self-help clearinghouse that may serve your area. Such a local clearinghouse can often advise you of any existing independent local groups that are not affiliated with a national self-help organization. Most clearinghouses can also provide you with varying degrees of assistance if you want to start a new local group. For a free listing of phone contacts for self- help clearinghouses in the United States and Canada, send a stamped self- addressed envelope with your request to Self-Help Clearinghouse, St. Clares-Riverside Medical Center, Denville, NJ 07834. > CONSULTATION: If there is no group or support network that exists anywhere in the country for your problem and you are interested in starting one, the Clearinghouse can help you with suggestions, materials, and other possible support, e.g., we can list you and your interest on our computer database which is used by over a dozen self-help clearinghouses in the United States and Canada. In any case, for a free handout on "Ideas for Starting a Self-Help Group," simply send a stamped self- addressed envelope with your request. > Finally, while the Clearinghouse can provide callers with free information on groups for their particular problem, a few people who often make referrals to different groups may want to use the "Self-Help Sourcebook" directory that provides info on over 600 different national and model groups. To obtain a copy (Sept., 1990 edition), one can call Hazelden Educational Materials at 1-800-328-9000 and bill it (catalog #6108; $8.00 plus $2.50 postage) to a credit card. Hazelden also has a free catalog reflecting their broad range of publications dealing with different types of recovery. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!140!Ed.Madara Internet: Ed.Madara@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org