Workplace Mutual Aid and Self-Help:

Abstract

This article describes the significance of mutual aid and self-help groups for employee assistance programs. In an era of dwindling resources, groups can be valuable adjunctive resources. Examples given are a recovery network of A.A. members at the workplace willing to act in a 12 Step fashion with EAP clients, a codependency assessment and support group, a supervisor's mutual aid support group and a peer support group diversity network. The benefit to EAP professionals of developing these groups is an expanded range of referral resources, increased visibility for the EAP, and an opportunity to engage in community building within the workplace.