Group therapy ideas: Me and My Mental Illness Book (Interpersonal, social, relationships)

Therapist note: Only make one print of this page. Print several copies of “Common Mental
Illnesses at HealthSource Saginaw” for reference. Print multiple copies of “A Guide to My
Mental Illness” to use as handouts for tri-fold pamphlet portion. NOTE: to properly print
pamphlet page, use landscape orientation, double-sided, and short edge binding)

Intro:

Having a mental illness is a lot like having a physical illness, except that others cannot see
what is going on when you are sick. Without proper education, they do not know what to
look for, how to help you, and may be confused as to what is going on in times of high-stress
or crisis. The goal of today’s activity is to look within ourselves so we can identify
characteristics of our mental illnesses that will allow others to help us in times of need. We
will each be creating a tri-fold “pamphlet” about our own mental illnesses that we can show
to others to assist them in being as helpful as possible.

Individual Handout Work:

As I read the following directions, find the correct section of your pamphlet and record
information that is specific to you and your mental illness. (It would be very helpful to have
an example pamphlet available for the group to look at.)

1. Fold the piece of paper on lines/into thirds to make a tri-fold pamphlet. (As shown in
example.)
2. Write your name on the cover.
3. Write your diagnosis(es) on the flap that says “Mental Illnesses” and copy a brief
description of the disorder after each letter (a), (b), (c) from the page titled “Common
Mental Illnesses at HealthSource Saginaw.” If you do not know what your diagnosis(es)
is(are) or cannot find your diagnosis on the list, ask myself of your therapist.
4. Record your personal triggers and symptoms under the sections titled “Triggers” and
“Symptoms.” (e.g. talking about my grandmother, being on boats, watching people yell,
etc.)
5. Locate the chart/table. In the left column, under “When this happens…” write some
things that you commonly do when you begin to lose control and/or your disorder
becomes very strong. (e.g. I pull my hair out, I scratch at my arms, I pace back and forth,
etc.)
6. Locate the right column of the chart under “…it would be helpful if you followed this
guide.” Write the things that someone should DO or should NOT DO when things from
the left column begin to happen. (e.g. “When I pull my hair out…” DO hold my hand and
talk to me slowly; DO NOT yell at me, send me to my room, or touch my hair.)
7. When you have completed all of these steps, flip the pamphlet over and write whatever
you feel is relevant under “Sometimes people don’t like to talk about mental illness, but
what I want you to know about my mental illnesses is…” (e.g. I want you to know that I
feel very upset but it’s hard for me to talk about it OR I may yell at you but I am not
trying to be mean, I just need to be alone.)