Grow is a peer support and mutual-aid organization for recovery from, and prevention of, mental illness. Grow was founded in Sydney, Australia in 1957 by Father Cornelius B. "Con" Keogh, a Roman Catholic priest, and psychiatric patients who sought help with their mental illness in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Consequently, Grow adapted many of AA's principles and practices. Much of Grow's initial development was made possible with support from Orval Hobart Mowrer, Reuben F. Scarf, W. Clement Stone and Lions Clubs International. As the organization matured, Grow members learned of Recovery International, an organization also created to help people with serious mental illness, and integrated aspects of its will-training methods. As of 2005 there were more than 800 Grow groups active worldwide. Grow groups are open to anyone who would like to join. "Grow" is not an acronym. Grow has no affiliation with any organised religion or church, and is not itself any sort of religion or church. While some parts of the Grow program refer to God due to the role God has played in the recovery and growth of many Growers from the beginning, alternative non-religious phrasings are provided.

Stages of decline and steps to recovery and growth

Grow's literature includes the Twelve Stages of Decline, which indicate that emotional illness begins with self-centeredness, and the Twelve Steps of Personal Growth, a blend of AA's Twelve Steps and will-training methods from Recovery International. Grow members view recovery as an ongoing philosophy of life rather than an outcome and are encouraged to continue following the Steps after completing them in order to maintain their mental health. The Twelve Stages of Decline The Twelve Steps of Recovery and Personal Growth

Literature

The program of personal growth, generally referred to as the 'Blue Book', is the main book used in Grow groups (94 pages). It is divided into three sections based on the developmental stages of members: 'Beginning Growers', 'Progressing Growers' and 'Seasoned Growers'. There are related books used in conjunction with the Blue Book:

Effectiveness

Participation in Grow has been shown to decrease the number of hospitalizations per member as well as the duration of hospitalizations when they occur. Members report an increased sense of security and self-esteem, and decreased anxiety. A longitudinal study of Grow membership found time involved in the program correlated with increased autonomy, environmental mastery, personal Growth, self-acceptance and social skills. Women in particular experience positive identity transformation, build friendships and find a sense of community in Grow groups.

Qualitative analysis

Statistical evaluations of interviews with Grow members found they identified self-reliance, industriousness, peer support, and gaining a sense of personal value or self-esteem as the essential ingredients of recovery. Similar evaluations of Grow's literature revealed thirteen core principles of Grow's program. They are reproduced in the list below by order of relevance, with a quote from Grow's literature, explaining the principle.

<li>Be Ordinary: "I can do whatever ordinary good people do, and avoid whatever ordinary good people avoid. My special abilities will develop in harmony only if my foremost aim is to be a good ordinary human being." <li>Help Others: We carried the Grow message to others in need. <li>Accept One's Personal Value: "No matter how bad my physical, mental, social or spiritual condition I am always a human person, loved by God and a connecting link between persons; I am still valuable, my life has a purpose, and I have my unique place and my unique part in my Creator's own saving, healing and transforming work." <li>Use Grow: "Use the hopeful and cheerful language of Grow." <li>Gain Insight: "We made moral inventory and cleaned out our hearts." <li>Accept Help: "We firmly resolved to get well and co-operated with the help that we needed." </ol>