Ideas for psychiatric groups

What are some good group ideas to keep patients going and that may help them with their concerns or worries for psychiatric/mental health groups?

Speaking from my own experience and also from running an online depression support group for 14 years. I have to say the group needs to focused on the clients. The clients have to feel it is really truly helping them to understand what they are going through and how to deal with it.

Members on my group, have tried group therapy and have not felt comfortable. They were scared to go to start with. The person in charge did not make them feel comfortable. The other clients in the group did not make them feel comfortable or welcome.

So they quit and wont go back.

I encourage them to because I feel I get alot out of the groups I have been in and am in now.

But I also realize that not everyone is like me. I can talk to anyone and make friends very easily.

Lots of others dont, especially if feeling depression and more.

They need to be encouraged by the therapist or whomever to get to know others in the group. Need to made to feel they are very welcome there and that are wanted there.

There also should be a defenite plan for the group that should be explained right from the beginning. If there is no plan, no one knows what to expect.

They lose interest. I know I do when i dont know where the group is headed because i dont feel i know exactly why im there.