LDS Support Groups

[_truth dancer]

YAY for the church!

I got a notice today that in our stake there are four new support groups available for members.

Two women's depressions groups, one men's sexual addiction group, and one woman's issues group.

Great news!

~dancer~

[_silentkid]

Do they have a support group for non-believing, socially inept, 30 year-old virgins? :)

[_harmony]

Do they have a support group for non-believing, socially inept, 30 year-old virgins? :)

Hmmm.. I think they think they've got that one covered with the Single Adult Wards. By the time you turn 30, you're supposed to have found your mate. Another lame-brain idea that's been warped by our leaders.

What I want to know is what do we do with the sorta-believing, socially adept, 29 year-old virgins who can't wait to turn 30 so they can stop being forced to attend the lame SA wards?

[_harmony]

YAY for the church!

I got a notice today that in our stake there are four new support groups available for members.

Two women's depressions groups, one men's sexual addiction group, and one woman's issues group.

Great news!

~dancer~

Women have issues? Women are depressed? Men are sexually addicted? And our leaders acknowledge that? TD, your SP is going to get his hands slapped. Doesn't he know that LDS women are the happiest, most well adjusted women on earth today? And LDS men are the best husbands (except those who look at pornography)? Sheesh.

It will be interesting to see how long they last, if the women actually have enough ooomph left to go to the group meetings, if the men are slapped with church sanction if they attend the group meetings, and what kind of flack your leaders get from their up-line. Please keep us informed.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Harmony...

Well, in spite of some believers denial (smile) , I've been personally aware that the church leaders have been aware of these issues (as well as abuse) for some time.

I think there was a hesitancy to offer help because it meant admitting some difficulties, which in my opinion is not a bad thing but I guess it is for some.

The reality is there are some concerns.

I'm just really happy that this step has been taken. I think it is the first step to making some changes that may help!

:-)

~dancer~

[_Yoda]

Hi Harmony...

Well, in spite of some believers denial (smile) , I've been personally aware that the church leaders have been aware of these issues (as well as abuse) for some time.

I think there was a hesitancy to offer help because it meant admitting some difficulties, which in my opinion is not a bad thing but I guess it is for some.

The reality is there are some concerns.

I'm just really happy that this step has been taken. I think it is the first step to making some changes that may help!

:-)

~dancer~

I agree.

My concern is that pride mingled with fear may take over some of these folks. What kind of confidentiality processes have been put into place? Are the men who attend these groups in danger of facing a Church court, or at the very least, a very uncomfortable bishop's interview?

Will the women be so worried about what other women may be whispering about in Relief Society that they will be hesitant to be "labelled" depressed?

This is the kind of culture in the LDS community we need to fight against so that these types of groups really have a chance to work.

[_harmony]

Hi Harmony...

Well, in spite of some believers denial (smile) , I've been personally aware that the church leaders have been aware of these issues (as well as abuse) for some time.

I think there was a hesitancy to offer help because it meant admitting some difficulties, which in my opinion is not a bad thing but I guess it is for some.

The reality is there are some concerns.

I'm just really happy that this step has been taken. I think it is the first step to making some changes that may help!

:-)

~dancer~

I agree.

My concern is that pride mingled with fear may take over some of these folks. What kind of confidentiality processes have been put into place? Are the men who attend these groups in danger of facing a Church court, or at the very least, a very uncomfortable bishop's interview?

Will the women be so worried about what other women may be whispering about in Relief Society that they will be hesitant to be "labelled" depressed?

This is the kind of culture in the LDS community we need to fight against so that these types of groups really have a chance to work.

That was my point also, Liz. I think these groups are a great idea, a great first step. But will the men face some sort of church sanction if they admit to a porn addiction (or any other kind of sex addiction)? Will the women feel comfortable talking about issues with doctrine, like women being denied the priesthood? Will they be called in for some intense interview, if they express their unhappiness with the very issues we discuss here so openly?

LDS culture is built on the foundation that LDS people are "special" and "unique" and "in the world but not of the world", not troubled by the issues of the day (see Pres Hinckley's remarks about the women in the church), not indulging in wickedness like pornography, and that the church is perfect, even if the members aren't. How can women admit that they're depressed, when we're so special, so unique, so not worldly, when admitting it is virtually the same as saying the whole thing's not working for us?

This sounds like a test balloon that the leaders are running up to see how it works. I'll be interested to hear TD's reports. TD, are you going to go to the Women's Issues one? That's the one I'd attend, if we had it here.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Liz...

Well you ask very good questions.

My understanding is that to participate in LDS social services therapy, one waves the rights to confidentiality with LDS leaders.

This may have changed but I know a few strong LDS believing therapists who will not participate in LDS SS (as a therapist) for this reason. Many therapists consider the therapist/client relationship essential to therapy. When a church leaders is involved it changes the whole situation.

Typically, in groups there is an emphasis on confidentiality within the group and most folks hold this in high regard because it is necessary for healing to have openness however, as you point out, word will certainly get around and the gossip is rampant in the LDS culture.

I don't know the answers but I'm seriously hoping this help will make a difference. It is so needed.

~dancer~

[_harmony]

My understanding is that to participate in LDS social services therapy, one waves the rights to confidentiality with LDS leaders.

Well, that's about as therapeutic as talking to your bishop, then. This is not going to work, if the church thinks they have access to everything that's talked about in group sessions.

[_truth dancer]

Well, Harmony, I'm not sure if this is still the case, or how it all works today.

I also do not know the specifics of these particular groups.

My understanding is these particular groups are open to anyone and do not require a bishop's referral. There is a fee that can be picked up by bishops (but then there may be the confidentiality issue).

In other words, it sounds like these groups are not run through LDS social services but privately by LDS people but I'm not totally sure.

There is a statement that participants agree to confidentiality but if the church is paying this may not apply to those participants.

I just don't know.

I'm pretty excited about this... hoping it will be beneficial to those who need help.

~dancer~