GROW is a
peer support and mutual-aid organization for recovery from, and prevention of, serious
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. As the organization matured, GROW members learned of
Recovery International, an organization also created to help people with serious
mental illness, and integrated pieces 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, though they specifically seek out those who have a history of psychiatric hospitalization or are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Despite the capitalization, GROW is not an acronym. Much of GROW's initial development was made possible with support of from
Orval Hobart Mowrer, Reuben F. Scarf,
W. Clement Stone and
Lions Clubs International.