The Self-help Way: Mutual Aid and Health
- ISBN-10
- 0888103883
- ISBN-13
- 9780888103888
- Pages
- 133
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1990
- Publisher
- Canadian Council on Social Development
- Authors
- Canadian Council on Social Development, Jean-Marie Romeder
Description
This publication offers a summary of current knowledge in the field of self-help/mutual aid. It proposes a new definition of self-help groups, outlines a theory of motivation for mutual aid that gives readers a better understanding of the forces and dynamics at work in the mutual aid practised in self-help groups. It proposes a model for personal health, examines the sources of reluctance many people have to self-help groups and the way one can overcome them. It also contains an overview of numerous studies on self-help groups, and of the activities that have lent support to the self-help movement. Finally, it presents the similarities and differences between the activities of members of self-help groups and those of professionals.
