- The Moment Of Silence
- Affirmation
- Welcome, Announcements and Introductions
- Standard Readings from the “Blue Book”: Schizophrenics Anonymous: A Self-Help Support Group
- Welcome Statement to Newcomers
- SA Statement of Purpose
- SA Mission Statement
- SA Six Steps for Recovery
- SA Guiding Principles
Optional readings: At this point, the leader may choose a bit of the Blue Book for the group members to take turns reading aloud, or they listen to the recorded version. Other options are to read aloud from the SA Group Leaders Circular, Schizophrenia Update, the SA Forum Newsletter, or other SA/NSF sanctioned writings (Choose Life Project Chapters, the For People in Recovery, By People in Recovery literature series, etc.)
- “Working the Steps” and open supportive sharing of experience, strength and hope. These phrases are most commonly heard at 12-Step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous. In SA, there is no specific order or set progression to growth in our program, but the SA meeting is where we learn how the Steps can aid us in our ongoing recovery. How does one “work” a Step? At meetings, we hear older members say, “Well, today I just had to choose Step One and Surrender to the reality of my illness. I went to the drug store to get my meds-you know how expensive they are. And I just wanted to save money and try going without the pills for a few days. But in S.A., we learn about what medicines do and we know about the dangers of setbacks and relapse. So I just “Surrendered” and admitted my need for the medicine.” Someone else might then add, “Surrender of our misconceptions can help all of us.”
- Alternative ways to share your trials and triumphs in SA are to simply talk about a problem and ask the group for their insights on what Step work can do. In crisis times, like September 11, 2001, many SA group members just got together to share their fear and the national trauma we felt. If you are upset and your own words won’t come, just read the brief version of a Step aloud to the group. This sharing lessens the pain so we can sort it out together and get relief.
- Stand and say the Serenity Prayer
Alternatives or Additions to the above Format
- Open the meeting with the Serenity Prayer, standing together.
- Choose a step and share what it means to you.
- Share a challenge you are dealing with and ask for positive, helpful comments.
- Discuss current-event topics related to Schizophrenics Anonymous issues.
Note: These are only some suggestions and many other worthwhile possibilities exist. The group determines the actual content of the meeting, though the Six Steps remain the “heart and soul” of the meeting.