In 1984, the Saskatchewan Health Research Board awarded a two year grant to Dr. Richard Wollert, Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, to study self-help groups whose major focus of activity was to provide members with support and assistance in coping with a shared life problem. The program continued with the support of the Psychology Department until 1989, when it was renamed the Saskatchewan Self-Help Network, and began to operate in partnership with the University's Extension Division.