Starting a Group for SA

What do you do?
What Happens When the Central Office is Contacted?
How Do Prospective Leaders Benefit?
Group Referrals

What do you do?

Anyone interested in starting a new S.A. group should contact the National Schizophrenia Foundation (www.NSFoundation.org) at (517) 485-7168 or (800) 482-9534 [consumer line], even if they are already very familiar with the S.A. program from attending an existing group.

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What Happens When the Central Office is Contacted?

When first contacting the National Schizophrenia Foundation (NSF), ask to speak to a “Group Development Specialist.” A skilled S.A. veteran will guide you throughout the group start-up process. You’ll be sent a packet of free materials and added to our mailing list. You will begin receiving free periodicals such as the Group Leaders’ Circular, the Schizophrenia Update, and the S.A. Forum newsletter. You will receive regular support calls, as well as invitations to leadership training opportunities. All prospective and veteran leaders benefit from being on our mailing list to receive ongoing support and educational materials.

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How Do Prospective Leaders Benefit?

The technical support includes help with things like identifying a local co-sponsor for the group and aid in finding a meeting place, publicizing the group and understanding the roles and limits of S.A. leadership. Leaders receive all troubleshooting, promotional, technical and referral expertise at no charge (even the call is free!). Every S.A. group is unique and every S.A. group leader deserves the best technical and referral support available.

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Group Referrals

Beyond all this, the Central Office will make referrals for all “sanctioned” groups (groups working through the Central Office that subscribe to the S.A. philosophy and use the Six Steps). Many calls, letters, and e-mail inquiries are received every day from individuals looking to join a local S.A. group. The Central Office maintains an updated list of all S.A. meetings. This assures a steady flow of new members into our S.A. family and the creation of new S.A. support groups throughout the world. Keep in mind that leaders’ personal privacy and confidentiality are assured.

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