In case those links just sent don't work, I'm going to try to post
the entire document--for those trying to set up S.A. groups. This
entry, and the following entry on the Group Leader's Manual, has the
essential information for setting up a group. --John P., S.A.
=================

SCHIZOPHRENICS ANONYMOUS
A Brief Description of the Program


Schizophrenics Anonymous is a self-help group for persons with
schizophrenia or a schizophrenia-related disorder. The group was
founded in the Detroit area in July 1985, and as of 1999 there are
Schizophrenics Anonymous (S.A.) groups in over twenty of the states
in
the USA. The central focus of S.A. involves regular support meetings
of its members, as well as a program and philosophy of recovery.


--Statement of Purpose. Schizophrenics Anonymous meetings are
organized and managed by members who have the illness. It is
administered through the Mental Health Association in Michigan, which
serves as its fiscal agent. The purposes of S.A. are:


* To help restore dignity and sense of purpose for persons who are
working for recovery from schizophrenia or related disorders.


* To offer fellowship, positive support, and companionship in order
to
achieve good mental health.


* To improve our own attitudes about our lives and our illness.


* To provide members with the latest information regrading
schizophrenia.


* To encourage members to take positive steps leading to recovery
from
the illness.


--Mission Statement. The mission of Schizophrenics Anonymous is to
add
the element of self-help support to the recovery process of people
suffering from schizophrenia. We hope that this will contribute to
the
well being of S.A. members, and help in coping with the difficulties
imposed by the illness.


--Six Steps of S.A. Over the years members have found that recovery
has been enhanced by applying the six steps of recovery of S.A. These
steps deal with the member's individual movement toward recovery. The
steps are:


1. I SURRENDER...
I admit I need help. I can't do it alone.


2. I CHOOSE...
I choose to be well. I take full responsibility for my choices and
realize that the choices I make directly influence the quality if my
days.


3. I BELIEVE...
I now come to believe that I have been provided with great inner
resources and I will try to use these resources to help myself and
others.


4. I FORGIVE...
I forgive myself for all the mistakes I have made. I also forgive and
release everyone who has injured or harmed me in any way.


5. I UNDERSTAND...
I now understand that erroneous, self-defeating thinking contributes
to my problems, failures, unhappiness, and fears. I am ready to have
my belief system altered so my life can be transformed.


6. I DECIDE...
I make a decision to turn my life over to the care of GOD, AS I
UNDERSTAND HIM, surrendering my will and false beliefs. I ask to be
changed in depth.


--Six Guiding Principles of S.A. In order for the S.A. group to run
well, six guiding principles have been formulated. These principles
deal with the member's relationship to the S.A. program. They are:


1. The only requirement for S.A. membership is the desire to recover
from a schizophrenia related illness.


2. There are no dues for S.A. membership, although donations may be
accepted to cover S.A. group expenses or special events.


3. Everything said at S.A. meetings is confidential.


4. S.A. members should remain anonymous, except those who wish to
work
on special issues.


5. Each group may establish its own meeting format, subject to
approval by central S.A. leadership.


6. Decisions affecting S.A. as a whole are derived from the group
consciousness of its own members; we rely on our Higher Power to work
through this process.


--Group Philosophy. S.A. is a recovery oriented group that encourages
members to find fellowship and help by way of regular meetings and
mutual assistance. The six steps of S.A. recommend a set of attitudes
and actions that will enhance the movement toward recovery from
schizophrenia or from any illness with schizophrenia-related
symptoms.


The group also emphasizes the importance of adhering to the advice of
mental health professionals, especially psychiatrists and case-
workers. For instance, group members are encouraged to take
antipsychotic medications prescribed by their doctors and if
hospitalization is required, members are encouraged to cooperate.
Many
members of the group have also benefitted from psychotherapy.
When problems arise, such as the side effects of medications, members
are advised to make immediate contact with their doctors or mental
health workers. Setbacks in the illness are common, and members are
not stigmatized for having to be re-hospitalized. S.A. is intended to
be supplemental to professional help.


Another point is that S.A. members are accepted to the group at
whatever functioning level they are currently at. The group is non-
judgmental of those who are not functioning highly. Members are
simply
encouraged to do the best they can.


--Format of an S.A. Meeting. There are a number of different ways
that
S.A. meetings are structured. S.A. groups are free to establish their
own format, subject to approval of Central S.A. leadership. In
general, the most important aspect of an S.A. meeting is the sharing
of experiences, feelings, and hopes of the people in attendance.
Also,
members should be free to choose one of the S.A. steps for that week,
and the group leader should verbally support the basic philosophy of
S.A. throughout the meeting. Below is a sample format for a meeting
of
Schizophrenics Anonymous.


SAMPLE FORMAT
A Meeting of Schizophrenics Anonymous


(SHORT DIRECTIONS: The step-by-step format below should help new S.A.
group leaders and others to lead an S.A. meeting. It is recommended
that the person leading the meeting read aloud the portions that are
underlined. The material in brackets [...] are instructions that will
help make the meeting flow better.)


1. "Hello, my name is [your name] and I have schizophrenia. Welcome
to
this meeting of Schizophrenics Anonymous. Let's begin the meeting
with
a short moment of silence." [lasts perhaps 10 or 15 seconds]


2. "Thank you. Now let's go around the table and let each person give
his or her first name."


3. "O.K. Will [person's name] please read the S.A. Statement of
Purpose."


4. "Thank you. Will [person's first name] please read our Six Steps
for Recovery."


5. And will [person's first name] please read the S.A. Guiding
Principles."
[Some groups may wish to read a page from the ACOA book of Daily
Affirmations. If there is a brand new person at the meeting, the
group
may wish to read our "Welcoming Statement to Newcomers."


6. "Now there are a few moments, before our discussion period, if
anyone wishes to make any announcements to the group."


7. "Now we have come to the part of the meeting where each of us can
share with the group how our week has gone, what is on our minds
today, how we are dealing with our symptoms and other challenges, and
which S.A. step we want to work on this week. Everyone will get a
chance to talk and share, and please remember not to interrupt anyone
in the process of talking. When it is your turn, please tell us if
you'd prefer not to hear feedback from group members--that you just
want a chance to talk. Also, keep in mind that almost anything is
permissible to talk about except sex, politics, or specific religious
issues."
[Around the table, each member of the group is given an opportunity
to
talk and choose an S.A. step. This is the bulk of the meeting.]


8. [After all the members are done with their turns to talk, say:]
"Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences, feelings, and
hopes with us just now. Just as a reminder, we all need to respect
the
anonymity and confidentiality of the people who are here for this
meeting, and what was said here today. Now may we close the meeting
by
all of us standing up, gathering in a circle, holding hands if you
wish, and saying the Serenity Prayer together:"


Serenity Prayer


God, grant me the serenity--
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage
To change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.


9. "Thank you, everyone, for coming. Have a wonderful week. And we
hope to see you at our next meeting.


END OF MEETING


--Welcome Statement to Newcomers. One way to help the newcomers at
S.A. meetings to be at ease is to read the welcome statement below.
Or, a photocopy of the statement can be made, and given to the new
member to be read at home.
WELCOME STATEMENT TO NEWCOMERS


We wish to welcome you as a newcomer to Schizophrenics Anonymous. We
realize that you may not have much experience with self-help groups
and may feel uncomfortable. Please be at ease and try to be open to
this new experience.


One thing we want to express to the newcomer is a sense of HOPE. What
S.A. members have seen over the years is that people with
schizophrenia are capable of making giant strides in recovery, and
are
able to find a place for themselves in this world. Life has promise,
even for those who have been afflicted with our difficult illness.


Please be aware of another thing. Your schizophrenia is not your
fault; it is not some weakness in your character or a personality
deficit. Rather, according to the best information from the
scientific
community, schizophrenia is a brain disorder, involving chemical
imbalances and sometimes tissue irregularities in the brain. About
ninety percent of people with schizophrenia improve with medical
treatment, and new scientific research offers hope for all others
with
the illness.


Please feel at home here. This meeting is here to help sustain you.
You are accepted here. Those who have schizophrenia have a whole
world
of experiences that others don't know about.


For instance, have you heard voices or seen visions? So have other
S.A. members. Have you had grand or strange ideas about your self or
your surroundings? So have other S.A. members. Have you felt that the
CIA or FBI were after you? Or that the television or radio were
talking to you? So have others in S.A. Have you talked to
psychiatrists, have been in mental hospitals, taken antipsychotic
drugs, or had awful side effects from these drugs? So have we. Have
you lost jobs because of schizophrenia, or have been personally
devalued by others because of it? So have we.


We have these things and others in common. In a way, it's like a
homecoming. You are welcome here. We hope to be here each week if you
choose to join us. May many blessings come your way.


Website:


http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Pantheon/8320/SA.htm

=============================
For the Google information group for S.A.:
http://groups.google.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous?hl=en
------------
For the Yahoo discussion group for S.A.:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous