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.[1] 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.[2][1]
As of 2005 there were more than 800 Grow groups active worldwide.[3] Grow groups are open to anyone who would like to join.
"Grow" is not an acronym.[4]
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.