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Old Nov 08, 2006, 09:25 PM
Anonymous29319
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This and legal reasons is exactly why in the group that - I - run - I - make it very clear that everyone in the group has a responsibility to take care of themselves.

that no one in the group incluiding - ME - is responsible for their own triggers and behaviors. No one monitors anyone in - MY - group.

MY group is a self help group not a babysitting prevent other members from killing themselves, self injuring and or taking or not taking their medications.

If something happens to the members and - I - was the one monitoring and so on not only would the member be upset with - ME - for following the states law and mental health guidelines that a person who is a danger to themselves or others needs to be referred to the local ER for possible inpatient care, But - I - would also end up in a lot of legal hassles because - I - am not a state certified and or licensed therapist and neither are the members while attending - MY - group.

To enter - MY - group ALL members must meet with - ME - first before entering the group.

During those first few one on one sessions - I - work with the members helping them to fill in the emergency contact list.

This is a list of support contacts including their therapy agencys main number and the agencys after hours phone number, their therapist phone number(s) family physician and friends outside the group that they can call anytime.

- I - also hand out a paper on the rules of the group so that before even entering the group they understand the group is NOT a therapy group.

- MY - group is a self help support group where we challenge each other to look at our problems and take care of those problems and locate resourses in the community to help ourselves, and no one is expected to take care of someone else in any way shape or form. That is for thier personal therapists, doctors and so on to do.

This group has been running on and off depending on how many members there are for the past 4 years and I have had no problems with anyone not being able to monitor themselves and their behaviors.

Maybe what I am doing with my grous -meeting the group members before they enter group and having them fill in an emergency contact paper and letting them know that they are responsible for their own triggers and behaviors and so on will help you not to get into this situation again.

Hang in there.