Cancer support group founded

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A need for a psycho-educational cancer support group in Mossel Bay was identified and a group has been founded.

The support group will help those affected by cancer, be it the diagnosed, their family or friends, to cope with the emotional aspects of cancer by providing a safe place to share and work through feelings and challenges.

It will also allow people to learn from others facing similar situations.

This group is open to all demographics: age, race, gender, religion, culture. Some sub-groups might form as a result, such as breast cancer survivors for which separate smaller groups could be formed in the long run.

Any members that require individual emotional support will also be informed of available services in this regard. No screening and selection interview will be done.

Group goals:

Help group members through emotional support to feel more hopeful and not so alone
Give group members a chance to talk about their feelings and work through them
Help group members deal with practical problems, such as problems at work, school or home
Help group members cope with side effects of treatment
Equip group members with coping tools and strategies, e.g. breathing exercises, journaling

Group norms:

Although the group norms will be identified collaboratively during the first session, the following have been earmarked by the three co-facilitators

Respect
Confidentiality
Diversity
Punctuality
Acknowledging other’s opinions

Possible themes and topics:

As a needs analysis will be done during the first session, no clear framework for the monthly group sessions have been laid out as yet. Possible topics could include:

Living with a cancer diagnosis
Dealing with Anxiety and Stress
Nutrition and Appetite
Uncertainty of Cancer
Redefining Life Priorities
Cancer and the Caregiver/Family
Communication with family and friends

Group session format:
Each group session will follow the same approximate format, beginning with an icebreaker activity and a round robin check-in opportunity to help bring the group together before starting the group activity for the week. It serves to create group cohesion while linking the present session with the previous session, and should take 10 - 15 minutes to complete.

After the icebreaker, a speaker will present a topic e.g. nutrition for the cancer survivor, etc. or the group will do a group activity, such as art/play therapy. Following the activity, the group will engage in a discussion about the activity, focused around predetermined themes/topics. The group activity and discussion will take up the majority of the group time, approximately an hour.

About 20 to 25 minutes before the end of each session, the members will be invited to participate in a checkout process as way of closing the session. This includes a summary of the session by the group leaders, and a reflection by the group participants on what they liked or did not like about the session, as well as any topics, questions or problems that the members wish to add to the agenda for the next session.

First session:
The first session will be an introduction to the group facilitators and group work, the purpose and structure of the group, creating group goals and rules, and act as the beginning to establishing a positive relaxed group environment.

As a way of getting everyone acquainted, the group leaders will facilitate an ice-breaker. The group will then collaboratively develop group goals and rules. The limits of confidentiality and confidentiality in a group setting will also be re-iterated. This should take approximately 25-30 minutes.

An hour group discussion will then be facilitated on what the group members wish to gain form the support group, and topics that they would like to address though it, i.e. “What do you want to get out of this group?” or“If we could talk about any subject, what would the most important be to you?”

Closing of the group session will take approximately 15 – 20 minutes.

Time: 10:30 – 12:00

Every 2nd Wednesday of each Month