Family and Carer Support Groups
Our range of support groups provide voice to the lived experience of carers, shared compassion to the journey of caring and partnership in supporting recovery.
ARAFEMI provides a range of support groups for those who care for and care about people experiencing mental health problems. These groups provide an opportunity for family, friends and carers to connect with those with similar experiences, and to learn about current ideas and practices in the field of mental illness. Group members gain strength and support from each other and learn new ways of coping through each other’s experiences. The groups are facilitated by family carer givers who bring a wealth of experience to the meetings, and speakers from specific areas of mental health are a regular feature of meeting programs.
We also provide support to a range of specialized groups including groups for families of young people or families and carers of people with Borderline Personality Disorder.
For more information about our support groups or if you would like to attend a group for the first time, please contact the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline on 03 9810 9314 during office hours 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Support Groups
Bridging the Gaps / Hawthorn Support:
An open group for families and friends of people with a mental health problem
Meets: 2nd Thursday evening of the month, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Newcomers: are asked to arrive at 7.00pm to meet with facilitators
Location: ARAFEMI, Ground Floor, 270 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn
Bendigo Mental Health Carers Group:
Afternoon Tea and Launch of this new group at 2.00pm Saturday 25th October, 48 Mundy Street, Bendigo. Contact Sandra Attwell, Golden City Support Services 5434 2777 for more information.
Bridging the Gaps - Southern
Education and Information Sessions for parents and family carers of young people with mental health issues.Meets: 1st Wednesday evening of each month, 7.45pm-9.30pm
Location: Southern Family Life, 197 Bluff Road, Sandringham. (Melway 76, K12)
Support group for families and carers of people with a borderline personality disorder
Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month, 7.00pm-9.00pmLocation: Terra Firma, 423 Station Street, Box Hill, (Melway 47 C12)
Flyer/calendar with information about all groups and meeting dates for July-December 2008 (PDF)
Please note that our family support groups do not meet in January.