Group leader manual, 42 pages. For manuals and workbooks in English and other languages, please refer to nectglobal.org
The manual contains the material presented to the participants and the writing exercises that are carried out. The group leader manual also contains instructions and tips for the group leader on certain pages.
Content:
(1) Introduction. An introductory part of two sessions that introduces the program and creates a safe framework for what follows.
(2) Education about stigma and self-stigma, myths about mental illness and facts that debunk these myths. A section that deals with the pros and cons of telling others that you have a mental illness.
(3) Cognition and change strategies. Seven sessions that are about cognitive restructuring - how one's own thoughts and feelings affect how one sees oneself and one's existence. And how these thoughts and feelings affect one's behavior. How can one change negative thoughts and feelings, for example through alternative ways of thinking?
(4) Telling stories about yourself. Another part of about seven sessions that deals with developing your personal history. Here, participants write down stories about their thoughts and experiences and read them out to the rest of the group, thus receiving feedback from the others. This can be a way of gaining control over events and stories, making them more understandable and being able to place them in a time context.
(5) Finally, there is one session to summarize and conclude the training.
