Session 3

Psychoeducational groups for Women in Ghana

Group Facilitators: Grace Kerstetter and Emily Griffin 

S.M.A.R.T Goals: 

By the end of services, the group will identify at least 2 self care techniques in each self-care dimension (Physical, mental, social, spiritual, etc.)

  1. The group will identify multiple self care techniques in each self-care dimension
  2. The group will demonstrate an understanding of at least 2 self care technique

Agenda: 

  • Roll call
  • Introductions
  • Recap
  • Lesson 
  • Activity
  • Break 
  • Activity 
  • Debrief 
  • Dismissal 

Lesson plan:

  1. Take roll call of all participants in attendance and mark those absent who are not attending.
    1. Lock doors to ensure confidentiality
  2. Introductions 
    1. Each group member will introduce themselves using an adjective before their first name and explain why they chose that adjective 
  3. Recap 
    1. Ask what the participants remember from the last session.
    2. Ask the participants what coping strategy was their favorite 
  4. Lesson 3: Depression
  1. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home. (psychiatry.org) 
  2. Common stressors: 

i. Socially stressful and traumatic life events

ii. Limited access to food, housing, health care

iii. limited access to social support (Mayo clinic.org)

Iv. lack of self confidence/self worth

  1. Symptoms and signs (handout)
  2. Emotional: 

I. Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

Ii. angry outbursts of emotion

  1. Physical:

I. lack of self care, stopped showering, maintaining hygiene 

Ii. unwashed hair, same clothes worn again

Iii. feeling tired and run down

Iv. sleeping 

  1. Behavioral

I. Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

ii.Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame

Iii. Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

Iv. Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

  1. Cognitive 

I. executive dysfunction, 

Ii. impaired learning and memory

Iii. reduced attention and concentration

 Iv. and lower processing speed.

  1. Relationships
    1. Self isolation
    2. Lack if interest 
    3. Low labito
  2. Coping strategies

I. Physical 

  1. Get creative — using your emotions to fuel your creativity is a very positive way to deal with depression through catharsis. Try painting, writing stories and poetry, or even writing music.
  2. Clean or organize — your space is another aspect of your life that you have control over. So use cleaning and organizing as an outlet for your depression. Your life may be a mess, but your bedroom, kitchen, and other rooms in your house don’t have to be.
  3. Try acupuncture — acupuncture eases tension in your body, relaxing you, and in turn, easing some of the negativity you may be feeling.

ii. Mental 

  1. Keep a journal — a journal not only lets you air out your frustrations but also lets you track your progress. You may be surprised at how far you’ve come when you look back at past entries.
  2. Go to therapy —Professional help can be a good resource
  3. Treat yourself — reward yourself when you do something hard or overcome a difficult situation

Iii. Social:

  1. Volunteer — volunteering is a great way to avoid negative thoughts and serving others is a proven way to build self-esteem and resiliency. 
  2. Socialize — reach out to support system 

Iv. Spiritual 

  1. Connect spirtually in many ways from religion to other practices
  2. Find local spirtual supprt

6. Activity 1:

Layers of Feelings (adapted from a lecture by WIlbert Alix, Trancedance Trainer)

 Under the fear is sadness or pain about the situation that we don’t want to feel.  Under the sadness is our deep need for love or respect.   

Draw four circles inside each other, like a bullseye.  Label the circles, starting from the outer circle, anger, fear, sadness, and love.  Fill in each circle with the different layers of feelings for the same situation.  For example, I was mad when my teacher yelled at me in class.  (Anger) I was afraid of being sent to the office and getting in trouble.  (Fear) I’m sad that things don’t always go the way I want them to in my life, and that my teacher seems to hate me.  (Sadness) I wish I was more appreciated and valued by people in my life.  (Love)  Add colors and images to express your associations with the feelings in each layer. (Expressive therapist.org)

7. Break 

 Activity 2 handout 

9. Debrief

10. Dismissal 

Items Needed: 

  • Handout
  • Refreshments 
  • Pencils/coloring pencil
  • Notebook

References: 

Aid, T. (2022). Depression info sheet (worksheet). Therapist Aid. https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/depression-info-sheet 

org, P. (2022). What is depression? Psychiatry.org – What Is Depression? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression 

Clinic, M. (2022, October 14). Depression (major depressive disorder). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007 

Advpsychiatry. (2022, October 17). Activities to alleviate depression: Advanced psychiatry. Advanced Psychiatry Associates. https://advancedpsychiatryassociates.com/resources/blog/solo-activities-for-depression/