Since its inception, self-help promotion program attempts to disseminate the idea and good practices of self- help/mutual aid in addressing various psychosocial problems.
More specifically, the program attempts:
- to support people with addiction problems or other psychosocial problems to set up their own self-help groups (through seminars, know-how information etc)
- to educate health professionals as well as stakeholders dealing with health issues in self-help/mutual aid philosophy and practice
- to support existing self-help groups whenever they do not run properly
- to support old and recently formed self-help groups in technical issues
Self-help/mutual aid refers to citizens’ taking action to assist one another in order to deal with their own life situation, within a context of solidarity and mutuality.
Some of the key features of self-help/mutual aid is self – motivation and active attitude for their own health issues.
A self-help group is a group of people who have first-hand understanding of a particular life situation or health issue either from their own experience or their experience as a parent, friend or carer. Through sharing their experience and knowledge, members of self-help group support one another, draw practical information and coping strategies for their situation. Self-help groups run independently and by its members.
