About Grow
An organisation that supports Mental health and Wellbeing
Grow’s 12-Step Program: A Path to Better Mental Health
The Grow program is an organised initiative aimed at supporting individuals in maintaining their mental health and combating mental illness.
An organised group meets weekly for two hours and follows a 12-step program. These meetings are held at various venues advertised on the website, and anyone who wishes to join and benefit from the program is welcome.
Weekly Meetings
Group numbers can vary between three to fifteen people, depending on how established the group is. The diversity in group sizes allows for intimate and more dynamic interactions, fostering a supportive environment for all participants.
The Program’s Essence
Grow’s program is a rich source of information, wisdom, and life principles. It mainly caters to people who struggle with maintaining their mental health. The program offers a structured yet flexible approach to personal development, emphasising learning and personal growth.
Accessibility and Benefits
Grow’s group meetings may not suit everyone, especially those who prefer professional one-on-one therapy or counselling and can afford it. However, Grow is inexpensive and offers undeniable health benefits and opportunities for forming meaningful friendships.
In Grow, we say friendships are the key to mental health. Many who have tried Grow and liked it attest to its positive impact on their lives. Moreover, Grow is a valuable complement to professional help, providing additional support and community.
Why You Should Try Grow
So why not try Grow for yourself? Membership is casual, and no fees are required. However, a weekly commitment to the program is necessary to reap the most benefits.
Please Donate
Grow is asking for donations from the community, and there are several ways to do this via the website’s donation page:
Donate for Grow
Also, anyone who benefits from Grow or values the program should be willing to contribute financially according to their ability.
Your generosity ensures that Grow can continue to provide valuable programs and support to the community.
Other Ways to Support
If you are unable to donate financially, there are other ways you can support Grow:
- Spread the word: Share our mission with your friends, family, and social networks.
- Volunteer to become a group facilitator. You learn to do this through long-term group attendance, leadership, and training workshops.
- Like our Facebook page: Grow Facebook Page
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Grow. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our community.
Grow’s History
Grow began in Sydney, Australia, in 1957 when a number of mental health sufferers came together to find a way back to normal living and happiness. In those early days, there was very little community support for mental health and some joined Alcoholics Anonymous to help their recovery. From there, a small group of AA members decided to develop their own 12 step program specifically for mental health.
Besides using their own resources and helping one another, they resolved to record and keep the insights, attitude and practical help that worked for them. As the groups attracted more and more people who had problems they enlarged the scope of their movement to include prevention as well as rehabilitation. The first Grow group in New Zealand was formed in 1965.
This accumulation of shared experience is today enriching the lives of many thousands of Growers and their surrounding communities with a unique store of understanding of what mental health is, how it is impaired and lost, and how it can be regained. This wealth of knowledge has been condensed into a pocket-sized book of collected wisdoms and insights for use in harmony with regular group attendance. The book is called “The Grow Journey” and is sometimes referred as a Blue Book.
Click here to view or buy The Grow Journey book.
Grow spread from Australia to other countries. At present, there are groups meeting in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and USA.
The Grow website of these countries are:
Australia www.grow.org.au
Ireland www.grow.ie
USA www.growinamerica.org
Facebook Links
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554998831058 (Grow New Zealand)
https://www.facebook.com/growau/
https://www.facebook.com/GROWIreland/
Essential Features
Grow’s school of life and leadership involves three essential features:
The Grow Journey Booklet – A popular and essential resource used frequently as part of the Grow program. It is based on natural rules for healthy living and proven steps of recovery and personal growth.
A Group Method – for problem solving and mutual education which enables ordinary people without professional training to run their own groups
A Caring and Sharing Community – amounting to a network of friendship and trustworthy helpers.
About Grow Group’s
Grow’s own members run the groups, which are overseen by seasoned trained leaders. Each group’s membership varies in size from 5 to 9 people. Meetings are held weekly, last two hours, and are followed by refreshments.
They combine personal testimonies, reports on progress, group work on members’ problems and adult education about rebuilding lives. Between meetings, members keep in touch through friendly phone calls, a variety of organised socials and regular training days.
Group membership is anonymous, non-denominational and open to all. No membership fees or dues are charged, no introductions or referrals are needed, just come along. To get a brief glance of a Grow group in action, watch the second video on the Audiovisual page.
Con Keogh – Catholic Priest & Co Founder of GROW
(13 July 1921 – 24 November 2011)
Con speaking to an audience in Australia in 1991 (40 mins)