Support Goup

I have an idea of helping start a support group for psychology students. I want to share/teach my ideas about how a support group can work. And I also need a few people who know how to use my ideas so they can give me some emotional support when I need it. I have been feeling very depressed quite often since the loss of my girlfriend. And while I was still suffering from that, I got a call saying that I will need to leave the house I have been living in for 2.5 years. It is going to be hard for me to find another place as nice as that one. I get depressed when I think of packing all my things, trying to find a place to put them and moving. I have been feeling homeless a lot since I got the call. I don't even know for sure that I want to stay in Uruguay.There are a lot of things which pain me about this place. But also a lot of things I like. So I feel torn, confused, a bit lost and almost everyday I feel alone.

My idea for the group is 3-6 people who meet face to face once per week. I want to begin by telling the group exactly why I have been so depressed for so long, why I have thought of killing myself, why I came very close a few years ago, why I thought of it seriously recently and what helps me feel better. Also, what makes me feel worse.

I believe what I can share/teach will be invaluable to the psychology students. Maybe also some social work students for not only their careers but also their personal lives. I wish some would have taught me these things when I was still a high school or university student.

Another idea is to invite 1 or 2 depressed teenagers to the group. And to start a teen support group a bit like SALV but based more on my ideas.

One objective is to give the members a chance to learn practical helping skills.

Another objective is to help them in their personal lives.

Another long term objective is to help change the way psychology is taught in Uruguay.

What helps me when I feel depressed

1. Sleeping and resting for as long as I need to until I am ready to get out of bed.

2. Doing exactlhy what I want to do for as long as I want to do it once I get up.

3. Talking to someone who shows me empathy and understanding.

4. People showing they care about me without trying to control me.

SALV

SALV is a peer support group of mostly adolescents in Fray Bentos. Their FB page.