The Black Dog Institute, in partnership with MLC Community Foundation,has established support groups in communities across NSW. The R.E.A.C.H Program is a free 9 week psycho-educational support group (based on the principals of responsibility, education, acceptance, connection and hope) to help participants with depression or bipolar disorder manage their illness and stay well. Topics include fostering strengths, dealing with loss and grief, identifying early warning signs and triggers, wellbeing strategies, nurturing support networks and creating a unique 'Stay Well Plan'. Find out more
Many people with a mental illness find support groups very valuable. We list here links to organisations that run or coordinate mental health support groups around Australia.
The Blue Pages website also has a comprehensive list of mental health support services.
Anxiety Disorders Support Groups - Ph: 1300 794 992or email jleitch@mentalhealth.asn.au
R.E.A.C.H Program - Black Dog Institute Support Group for people with mood disorders.
Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW - Runs support groups across rural and metropolitan for everyone: people with a mental illness, relatives, friends, partners, health professionals and interested members of the public. While the organisation's name is the Schizophrenia Fellowship, they provide services and support for everyone with a mental illness.
NEAMI - Provides a range of psycho-social rehabilitation services, including day programs and outreach support.
Serenity NSW - Provides a network of self-help support groups for anxiety disorders and mild depression.
GROW NSW - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
ARAFMI NSW - Provides support groups for carers, family and friends of the mentally ill.
Carers NSW - Provides information, referrals, advice and support for carers.
Carers Network - Provides counselling, support groups, training/relaxation & education courses for carers in Dee Why. Ph: 02 9982 3044 for more information.
PITANE Recovery Centre - A consumer run recovery centre located in the Northern Beaches area. Activities include weekly consumer meetings, walks, discussion groups, movie clubs and consumer training. Phone 02 8206 1841 for more information.
Lifeline Northern Beaches Anxiety Group - Runs weekly social support network for people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks.
Kaiyu Enterprises Inc. - provides a range of support and rehabilitation services across the lower Hunter region to people who have experienced emotional and mental health issues.
Chinese Support Groups:
Reality Check - Provides useful and different information about mental illness and where young people can go for help in the ACT.
Mental Health Foundation ACT - Provides details of support groups specialising in depression, bipolar, anxiety, OCD and schizophrenia.
The Rainbow - Provides a variety of programs and services open to all people with mental health issues.
GROW ACT - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
Carers ACT - Provides details of education and support program for carers. Also has a wide range of social activities, including recreational programs, walking groups and choir.
Post and Ante Natal Depression Support & Information (PaNDSI)- This Open Support Group is for women and men experiencing depression and anxiety related to pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
NT Department of Health & Community Services - Provides details of Top End Mental Health Services for Darwin, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Alice Springs, Nhulunby and remote areas.
Mental Health Carers NT - Support groups that offer courses and workshops relating to mental illness and the carer's role. The workshops are interactive, practical and respond to the needs of family carers.
They also run Pete's Place, a safe and accepting social venue for people living with mental illness in Darwin to access occupational and recreational art, craft and performing arts activities plus supports individuals to access community based activities.
Contact: Beverley Grimm. Phone: 8948 1051 or email: mentalhealthcarersnt@iinet.net.au
GROW Darwin - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
Top End Mental Health Association of Mental Health (TEAMHealth) Recovery Assistance Program - TEAMHealth provides a recovery focussed psychosocial rehabilitation program for mental health consumers in Darwin. This recovery program promotes the development and achievement of goals by skill development and support for independant living, both formal and informal learning, (including illness self management), employment and socialisation.
Carers Queensland - Provides support groups for carers throughout the whole of QLD. Offers social and emotional support, an opportunity to share information and ideas, and time out from the caring role.
Depression & Bipolar Meet-Up Group - The group is run online through and usually meets each fortnight on the weekend for a social activity. The people who come vary in ages from 20 through to into their 50s. The aim of the group is to provide a non-judgemental environment where people all share something in common, depression or bipolar, and can form friendships with one another. In turn they can form their own support groups with the friends they make inside the main group.
FYRENIYCE - Details of support organisations for carers and consumers in Brisbane and New Farm.
GROW QLD and GROW Cairns - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
HAND UP (Townsville) is a support group for anyone dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. They are a group of people in Townsville, who have experienced depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses who come together to share their experiences and by doing so offer understanding, acceptance and friendship. Call John: 07 4779 2203 or email: karen@handup.org.au
Men's Health & Wellbeing Association (QLD) Inc. - While not mental health-specific, this site provides useful information on general self-help groups for men.
Mental Health Association (QLD) Inc. - Provides details of support groups for depression, bipolar, panic/anxiety, OCD and disassociative identity.
Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland Inc. - The Fellowship assists a variety of self help and support groups for individuals and families coping with a range of mental illnesses. Groups have free access to the Fellowship's meeting room. Also provides telephone support networks for rural and remote areas to reduce isolation.
GROW SA - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
Mental Illness Fellowship of SA - Provides details of support groups throughout the metropolitan area for people living with mental illness, their carers, or any other interested persons. Also has information about regional support groups in Bordertown, the Riverland (Berri), Goolwa, Whyalla, and Mount Gambier.
Carers Association of SA Inc. - Runs carer support programs in Eyre Peninsula and the Far West , Upper Spencer Gulf , the Far North and Upper Mid North, Upper and Lower SouthEast and Southern Mallee, the Riverland, Murraylands and Western Metropolitan Adelaide.
BluesNews -a local website aimed at helping people to moderate signs of depression and anxiety
NEAMI - Provides a range of psycho-social rehabilitation services, including day programs and outreach support.
ARAFMI - Support programs in Hobart for the carers, relatives and friends of the mentally ill and provides a list of NGO's which may be of assistance for people with mental health needs.
GROW TAS - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
Eureka Clubhouse - A community-based centre for people with a mental illness, offering companionship, understanding and support in a family environment. Ph:
03 6278 9179
Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania - Provides lists of mental health services throughout Tasmanian state region.
ARAFEMI - The Association for the Relatives and Friends of the Emotionally and Mentally Ill offers a range of support groups in Bendigo, Camberwell, Eastern and Southern Metropolitan Melbourne.
Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria) - Runs a Mood Disorders Support Group in Richmond.
Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group - Sessions are held on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month, from 7pm - 8.30pm. Contact Cheryl on 0417 529 483 or 9743 9285 or Pam 03 9743 5564 for more information.
The Shack - On-line support and referral service for people with Borderline Personality Disorder and their families and carers.
PaNDA - A Victorian organisation for women and their families affected by ante and post natal mood disorders.
Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria - Support groups that provide friendship, encouragement and recovery management to assist people that suffer from Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety and Depression.
NEAMI - Provides a range of psycho-social rehabilitation services, including day programs and outreach support.
Prahran Mission - Day rehabilitation programs and an informal drop-in centre.
Outdoors Inc. - Funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services, ODI is a non-profit community mental health organisation that provides psychosocial rehabilitation for people with mental illness through recreation, play and outdoor adventure programs.
GROW VIC - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
Carers Victoria - Provides details of local carer support groups offering time-out and an opportunity to share information.
Even Keel Bipolar Support Group - Resource centre and support groups in Mt Helena, Qairadang, Fremantle, Perth City and Midlands.
Western Australian Association for Mental Health - Provides information and contact details for mental health services in WA.
GROW WA - Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
ARAFMI WA - Mental Health Carers and Friends Association provides details of evening groups and carers meetings as well as information on rural and youth serices.
Carers WA - Resource centre, information and support groups for carers.
Page last updated: 3-Jun-2010
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Information Australia - Black Dog Institute.
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