Healing Happens Together

Need Support? You’re Not Alone.

Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or lonely? Looking for compassionate, non-judgmental support to help you navigate life’s challenges?

Join GROW’s 12-Step Program for Mental Health and Personal Growth.
Our weekly meetings provide a safe and welcoming space to share experiences, learn practical tools, and work toward emotional well-being and maturity.

No introductions or appointments needed — simply come as you are and join a group that understands.

You Don’t Have to Grow Alone

Get Started Today

The Mental Health Organization (GROW)

Origin & Mission: Started in 1957 Australia by psychiatric patients, GROW provides free, confidential support groups for mental health and personal development, adapting principles from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
How it Works: Members share experiences in structured, peer-led groups, following a 12-step program to build life skills, resilience, and a sense of belonging, moving from recovery to personal growth.
Global Presence: Has groups in Australia, USA (Illinois, New Jersey, Alaska), New Zealand, Ireland, and Trinidad, offering in-person, online (eGrow), and specialized programs (Get Growing for schools).

The Recruitment Agency (GROW USA)

Focus: A distinct organization assisting Australians and New Zealanders with visas (J-1, E-3) to work, live, and travel in the United States.
Services: Helps young people and professionals find opportunities in the USA.

GROW's Four Essential Features GROW has a unique method of recovery and personal growth known as “The Four Essential Features.” These four elements include a network of mutual help groups, a written “Program of Recovery and Personal Growth,” a “Caring and Sharing Community” and an organizational and legal structure. THE GROUPS: GROW groups are organized, friendly help. Groups follow a standard format or “Group Method,” that enables any member to lead the meeting and ensures that groups are both supportive and productive. Meetings include a personal testimony, problem-solving with assignment of practical tasks, reports on progress, and development of new understandings through mutual education. THE PROGRAM: GROW members learn new ways of thinking and acting through group participation and by practicing the “GROW Program of Recovery and Personal Growth.” The Program is a written, structured philosophy of life and psychology of mental health for the ordinary person. It was born out of our founders’ resolve to record and keep what worked in their own recovery, and its continued development has been ensured by GROW leaders over the years. THE COMMUNITY: The true heart and spirit of GROW is its “Caring and Sharing Community,” where members realize weekly group work in their daily lives. The GROW community is based on a network of friendships and developed through diverse social, educational and leadership events. Friendship is the foundation of the Caring leadership and Sharing Community and the special key to mental health. Our experience of GROW friendship is healing and harmonizing and essential to our recovery and personal growth. THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL STRUCTURE: We accomplish two goals by maintaining an organizational and legal structure: We can be consistent and responsible in meeting the needs of our membership while also remaining accountable to our funding authorities. This structure, which is administered by experienced leaders and paid staff, serves to protect the authenticity of the groups, the GROW Program and the Caring and Sharing Community. LEADERSHIP: Leaders foster, protect, and share the Four Essential Features of GROW for one major reason -- because GROW has worked in their own lives. Because it has worked for them, they know it can also work for others. Future GROW leaders join a group out of personal need but eventually discover that one solution to their own problems lies in helping others. Leaders become companions and friends to those in need and fill many other essential roles – such as that of group “Organizer,” leadership team member, and staff person.

The Blue Book

The GROW Blue Book is more than a guide — it is a structured roadmap for personal growth and mental wellness.

Developed as part of the GROW Program, this 12-Step framework is designed to support emotional health, build resilience, and strengthen character in young people and adults alike. While the program addresses challenges such as substance abuse and unhealthy behaviors, its primary focus is mental health — helping individuals develop the tools they need to think clearly, manage emotions, and make positive life decisions.

The Blue Book encourages self-awareness, personal responsibility, and accountability within a supportive community setting. Participants are guided through principles rooted in Truth, Character, and Friendship — values that promote healthy relationships, confidence, and long-term stability.

Through structured reflection, group support, and practical life strategies, the

GROW Blue Book equips individuals to:

• Strengthen emotional regulation
• Develop healthier thought patterns
• Build meaningful connections
• Improve decision-making skills
• Cultivate leadership and integrity

At its core, the Blue Book is about restoring hope, building inner strength, and creating a foundation for lifelong mental wellness.

Growth is intentional. Growth is supported. Growth is possible.

The Heart of Our Care

Brenda Eakins

(Program Coordinator )

Torkeysa Haley

(Executive assistant & Field worker)

Sheila West

Grow in America Organizer

Lettensie

Champaign County jail groups

Toni

Field Worker

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Field Worker

Paul Doebel

Paul Doebel Distinguished Mental Health Service Award

Creation of Paul Doebel Distinguished Mental Health Service Award On December 20, 2019 GROW instituted the Paul Doebel Distinguished Mental Health Service Award in recognition of Paul Doebel’s long service [41 years] to GROW and community mental health. The lifetime achievement award is for exceptional and long service to community mental health and the GROW community mental health movement. Paul Doebel Distinguished Mental Health Service Award GROW member and staff can nominate award recipients. Selection of recipient[s] will be made by the GROW In America board. Announcement of the Paul Doebel Distinguished Mental Health Service Award will be made at the GROW In America Annual Meeting. The award will be in the form of a photograph and citation on a special website. A photograph, biography, and description of the recipient’s service to GROW and community mental health will be on the website. Paul Doebel, in his own words My introduction and invitation to join GROW came through Clare Sprague in 1978. I had been referred to her and Con Keough cofounder of GROW by Bishop O’Rourke, Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria. He had known me for some time. I was then a member of his Diocesan Pastoral Council. There was a need in GROW for a person, not necessarily a GROWER, to provide administrative leadership. The GROW program content had been developed, but as it was being introduced in the United States, the business/administrative functions needed support. I became the only “non-grower” member of the GROW leadership structure, later joined by Barbara Merman who served as GROW’s treasurer and accountant for many years. I recall early meetings with philanthropist Clement Stone. Although he chose not to endow GROW directly, he encouraged us and offered assistance in establishing our own fundraising capability. Grants from the McArthur Foundation and the Robert Woods Foundation moved us in a new direction. The McArthur Foundation grant funded a study by members of the University of Illinois Psychology Department, with Julian Rappaport the primary investigator. This study established the validity of the long-term benefits of the GROW program. This provided a springboard to GROW for obtaining other performance-based grants. It came at a time when states were moving from large centralized state mental institutions to more localized efforts. GROW turned to the Robert Woods Foundation for “seed money” to identify states willing to fund the establishment of the GROW program in their state, at least on an experimental basis. Three States came forward: Illinois, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Rhode Island fell by the wayside after several years, leaving GROW in Illinois, GROW in New Jersey and the umbrella organization of GROW in America. In Illinois tax revenue fell on hard times and in the 2010s funding for GROW groups ceased. But with volunteer help, GROW in Illinois continues as a viable organization, still awaiting changes in financial circumstances. I was elected chairman of the Board of Directors of GROW in America, as well as the Boards of GROW in Illinois and GROW in New Jersey. After the departure of Barbara Merman, I was elected Treasure of all three organizations. In 2003 I received the Clare Sprague Humanitarian award in recognition of my then 25 years of service. In 2015 I retired as Chair. Paul Doebel, 2019

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