Australian Bipolar Schizoaffective Support Network (ABSSN) - Point Cook, VIC
ABSSN was established in 2006 by Bec Ness. Unfortunately it ceased operating in 2011.
AMILE Advocacy Service - Werribee
Interval: First & third Saturday each month (contact Ian).
Contact: Ian - 0435 012 686
E ian_amileinfo@yahoo.com.au
W and www.amile.org.au/ and http://youth.wyndham.vic.gov.au/support/depression/amile
AMILE Advocacy Service Inc. is a non-profit health promotion charity that provides support, information
and advocacy to those affected directly or indirectly by mental illness. This includes carers and family
members who have someone who lives with a mental illness.
AMILE is an acronym for “advocating mental illness and life experience” and AMILE Advocacy Service
Inc. was incorporated in Victoria on the 24th May 2006.
We provide support groups and other services to our members. (see Service List on our website)
We also aim to provide a “link” for those living with a mental illness to services available in our area.
ARAFEMI Bipolar Support Group - Hawthorn
Meetings are held at: 270 Auburn Road, Hawthorn VIC, 3122
Interval: Third Wednesday of each month.
Contact: 9810 9300 (B/H)
E volunteers@arafemi.org.au,
W http://www.arafemi.org.au/
This is a mutual support group for people who experience bipolar disorder. The purpose of the group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with those with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. Speakers on topics like mental health services or health and well-being are arranged by agreement with the support group members. The group is facilitated by a mental health professional. The role of the facilitator is to guide discussion and to assist group members to share experiences and knowledge, and give and receive support.
ARAFEMI also have a combined consumer/carer support group which meets at Hawthorn first Thursday of every second month, and a carer support group which meets the first Thursday of every other month. The contact details for these is as above, volunteers@arafemi.org.au, and telephone 9810 9300.
Bipolar Babes - Moreland
Next Meeting: TBA
Meetings are held at: Moreland.
Contact: Susan – 0409 552 691
E bpbabesmelbourne@gmail.com
Bipolar Babes are a friendship women’s group meet who meet regularly in Moreland.
Geelong Mood Support Group - Geelong
Meetings are held at: Salvation Army, Strong St, South Geelong
Interval: Weekly (every Tuesday)
Contact: Reid - 5222 5999 (B/H)
E reidm@geelongmood.org.au
W http://www.geelongmood.org.au
The Geelong Mood Support Group Inc., formerly the Geelong Bipolar Support Group Inc., came about through an open public meeting which was facilitated by the Barwon Psychiatric Resource Centre in November 1989. Our centre aims to provide members with a welcoming, non-clinical environment for members to enjoy throughout the week. Members can relax with a cup of tea and chat to others in an informal manner or they can participate in a range of activities varying from tennis to Spanish. The Geelong Mood Support Group liaises and refers with all like agencies/groups in the Barwon Region and with other mood groups throughout Australia and overseas. We receive referrals from other agencies, General Practitioners, Psychologists, Clergy, Psychiatric Services and from consumers. We hope in the future to work more with our community education program, as well as, of course, continuing to give good service to people with affective disorders and their carers.
Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group
The Melton group ceased operating in July 2011.
Mental Health Foundation Victoria - Mood Disorders Support Group – Richmond
Meetings are held at: Mental Health Foundation, 270 Church St. Richmond.
Interval: Every third Thursday of the month (7:30pm to 9:00 pm).
Contact: MHF on 9427 0406
E goodinj@bigpond.com or executivedirector@mhfa.org.au
W http://www.mentalhealthvic.org.au/
The Mood Disorders Support Group meets every third Thursday of the month from 7.30 to 9.00 pm. All meetings are held at 270 Church Street Richmond. Meetings are free and anyone with a mood disorder, their family or friends are welcome to attend.
Goals of the Mood Disorders Support Group are to provide friendship and support to those with a mood disorder, their family and friends; to educate sufferers, families and the general public about the management of the disorder; to improve the quality of health care and the general wellbeing of our members; to promote research into the causes and improved treatment of uni-polar; bipolar and general anxiety and depressive illnesses; recognise depression and other mood disorders as illnesses; realise that depression is not all of who you are; be informed about the disorder and treatments available; Take an active role in your own treatment and stress management; utilise specialist professional advice; Learn how to understand and deal with mood changes. |
