Support Groups
If you would like to attend any of the support groups listed, please contact the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline on 1300 550 265 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) for further details.
Metropolitan Melbourne |
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Central East |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverley Support Group | Syndal | 1st Sat / month, 2-4pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Chinese Carer Support Group | Bulleen | 1st Tues / month, 10am-4pm | For Chinese carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
Dandenong |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| ERMHA Carers Group | Berwick | 1st Wed / month 7.00-8.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Aged Carer Support Group | Dandenong | 3rd Mon / month, 10am-12pm | For carers of older people with a mental illness | ||
| GROW Better Together - Dandenong | Dandenong | 1st and 3rd Tues / month, 12.30-2.30pm | For carers of people with a mental illness | ||
| CALD Carer Support Group | Dandenong | 4th Thus / month, 10am-12pm | For parents who were born overseas and have a child with a disability | ||
| Multicultural Carers Support Activity Group | Dandenong | Last Tues / month, 10am-12pm | For CALD carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| Grandparents Support Group | Dandenong | 3rd Wed / month, 10am-12pm | For people who are guardians or have custody of their grandchildren due to the parent/s having a disability, mental illness or alcohol/drug issue. | ||
Inner South East |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Inner South Family and Friends Support Group | St Kilda | 2nd Tues / month at 7.30-9.00pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| GROW Better Together - Caulfield | Caulfield South | 1st and 3rd Tues / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Caulfield Carer Support Group | Caulfield | 1st Thurs / month at 1-3pm | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| Malvern Carer Support Group | Malvern | 1st Wed / month, 1.30-3.30pm | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| Toorak Carer Support Group | Toorak | Quarterly | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| Wings of Care Family Support Group | Caulfield | Varies | For Jewish carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
Inner Urban East |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Bipolar Carer Support Group | Hawthorn | 1st Thurs every second month, 7.30-9.30pm | For carers of someone with bipolar disorder | ||
| Bipolar Combined Carer and Consumer Support Group | Hawthorn | 1st Thurs every second month, 7.30-9.30pm | For people with bipolar and carers of people with bipolar (please note that attendees may come on their own i.e. they do not have to attend with the person they care for or with the person who cares for them) | ||
| Mood Disorders Support Group | Richmond | 1st (educational) and 3rd (support group) Thurs / month, 7.30-9.30pm | For people experiencing mood disorders and their family/friends. | ||
| Families and Carers of People with Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group | Hawthorn | 1st Wed / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with borderline personality disorder | ||
Mid West |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Brimbank Carers Group | Sunshine | 1st Tues / month, 7.30-10.00pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Melton Support Group | Melton | 2nd Tues / month, 7.00-9.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
Middle South |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Bridging the Gaps - Southern | Sandringham | 1st Wed / month, 7.30-9.30pm | Education, information and support for parents and family carers of young people (16+) with a mental illness | ||
| Cheltenham Carer Support Group | Cheltenham | 1st Wed / month at 7.30-9.00pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Bentleigh Bayside Carer Support Group | Bentleigh East | 3rd Thurs / month, 10-11am | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| Brighton Carer Support Group | Brighton | 1st Wed / month, 7.30-9.30pm | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
North East |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| North East Carer Support Group | Heidelberg | 3rd Thurs / month at 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Eltham Carer Support Group | Eltham | 2nd Thurs / month at 7.30-9.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| CAMHS Carer Support Group | Heidelberg | Last Mon / month, 7-9pm | For parents and carers currently or previously using any Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) | ||
North West |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Finchley Family and Friends Group | Broadmeadows | 3rd Thurs / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| GROW Better Together - Coburg | Coburg | 2nd and 4th Tues / month, 10am-12pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Coburg Carer Support Group | Coburg | 2nd Wed / month, 10am-12pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Greek Carers Support Group | Coburg | Last Tues / month, 1-3pm | For people of Greek background who care for someone with a mental illness. The group is conducted in Greek. | ||
Northern |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Caring 4 Carers | Preston | 2nd Wed / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Darebin Support Group | Regent | 3rd Mon / month at 7.30-9.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Mill Park Support Group | South Morang | 4th Wed / month, 7-9.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Caring 4 Carers - Whittlesea Group | Epping | Yet to be confirmed | For carers of someone with a mental illness case managed by Northern Area Mental Health Service | ||
| Caring 4 Carers - Wood Street Group | Preston | 4th Wed / month, 12.30-2.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness case managed by Northern Area Mental Health Service | ||
Outer East |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Ferntree Gully Family Support Group | Ferntree Gully | 3rd Wed / month at 7.45-9.45pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| GROW Better Together - Heathmont | Heathmont | 2nd and 4th Thurs / month 7.30-9.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| COPES Partners Support Group | Ringwood | 1st Sat / month, 1-3pm | For partners of people with a mental illness | ||
Peninsula |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Frankston Family Support Group | Frankston | 3rd Mon / month, 7.30-9.30pm | For any carer of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Rosebud Support Group | Rosebud West | 1st Thurs / month, 1.30-3.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Chelsea Carer Support Group | Chelsea | 1st Wed / month, 1-3pm | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| St Peters Carers Group | Mornington | 2nd Thurs / month, 10am-12pm | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| GROW Better Together - Mornington | Mornington | 2nd and 4th Wed / month, 1-3pm | For carers of people with a mental illness | ||
South West |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Mens Carer Group | Footscray | 1st Mon / month, 10am-12pm | For any male carer (not mental health specific) | ||
| Westgate Carer Support Group | Altona | 2nd Tues / month, 7-9pm | For carers of people with a mental illness | ||
Rural Victoria |
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Barwon |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Geelong Moods Support Group | Newtown | Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm | Drop in centre for people diagnosed with a mood disorder as well as family and friends of people with mood disorders | ||
| Dual Diagnosis and Mental Health Carers | Newcomb | 1st Thurs / month, 2-4pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Creative Carers | Newcomb | 2nd Thurs / month, 2-4pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Drop-in Support | St Albans Park | 3rd Thurs / month, 2-4pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
Gippsland |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Latrobe Community Health Service Carer Support Group | Morwell | Last Wed / month, 11.30am-1.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Bairnsdale Support Group | Bairnsdale | 2nd Wed / month at 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Inverloch Support Group | Inverloch | 2nd Mon / month, 10am-12pm (and some Wednesdays, 10am-12pm) | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Cranbourne Carer Support Group | Cranbourne | 2nd Tues / month, 1.30-3.30pm | For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
Glenelg |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Sage Hill Carers Service - Portland | Portland | 1st Tues / month, 12-2pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Sage Hill Carers Service - Camperdown | Camperdown | 2nd Wed / month, 12-2pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Sage Hill Carers Service - Hamilton | Hamilton | 3rd Tues / month, 12-2pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Sage Hill Carers Service - Warrnambool | Warrnambool | 4th Tues / month at 12-2pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
Grampians |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Bacchus Marsh Support Group | Bacchus Marsh | 2nd Wed / month, 1-3pm | For carers of people with a disability | ||
| Ballarat Family and Friends Support Group | Ballarat | 3rd Wed / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Daylesford Carer Support Group | Daylesford | 3rd Tues / month in the afternoon | For carers (general carers support group) | ||
| Horsham Family and Friends Mental Health Support Group | Horsham | Last Mon / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Eating Disorders Carers Support Group | Ballarat | 2nd Thurs / month, 7-9pm | For carers of people with an eating disorder | ||
| CAPA Support Group | Ballarat | 1st Tues / month, 1-3pm | For carers of teenagers/young people with a mental illness | ||
| Harrow Carers Group | Harrow | 2nd Mon of every 2nd month, 11.30am-2.30pm | For carers of people with a mental illness | ||
| Warracknabeal Family & Friends | Warracknabeal | 2nd Tues / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
Lodden |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Bendigo Relatives and Friends Support Group | Bendigo | 2nd Sat / month, 1-3pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Southern Mallee Mental Health Carer Group | Swan Hill | Last Wed / month, 1-3pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
Specific Types of Carers |
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Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Chinese Carer Support Group | Bulleen | 1st Tues / month, 10am-4pm | For Chinese carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| Wings of Care Family Support Group | Caulfield | Varies | For Jewish carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| CALD Carer Support Group | Dandenong | 4th Thus / month, 10am-12pm | For parents who were born overseas and have a child with a disability | ||
| Multicultural Carers Support Activity Group | Dandenong | Last Tues / month, 10am-12pm | For CALD carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail aged, has a mental illness, a disability, or a chronic illness | ||
| Greek Carers Support Group | Coburg | Last Tues / month, 1-3pm | For people of Greek background who care for someone with a mental illness. The group is conducted in Greek. | ||
Children of a Parent with a Mental Illness |
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| For further information about programs and supports for children, please refer to www.copmi.net.au or telephone the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline for assistance. | |||||
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| CAMHS Carer Support Group | Heidelberg | Last Mon / month, 7-9pm | For parents and carers currently or previously using any Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) | ||
Partners of a Person with a Mental Illness |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| COPES Partners Support Group | Ringwood | 1st Sat / month, 1-3pm | For partners of people with a mental illness | ||
Carers of People with a Specific Diagnosis |
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Bipolar Disorder |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Bipolar Carer Support Group | Hawthorn | 1st Thurs every second month, 7.30-9.30pm | For carers of someone with bipolar disorder | ||
| Bipolar Combined Carer and Consumer Support Group | Hawthorn | 1st Thurs every second month, 7.30-9.30pm | For people with bipolar and carers of people with bipolar (please note that attendees may come on their own i.e. they do not have to attend with the person they care for or with the person who cares for them) | ||
Borderline Personality Disorder |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Families and Carers of People with Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group | Hawthorn | 1st Wed / month, 7-9pm | For carers of someone with borderline personality disorder | ||
Mood Disorders |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Mood Disorders Support Group | Richmond | 1st (educational) and 3rd (support group) Thurs / month, 7.30-9.30pm | For people experiencing mood disorders and their family/friends. | ||
| Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group | Melton | 1st and 3rd Wed / month, 7.00-8.30pm | For people experiencing depression or bipolar disorder and their family/friends. | ||
Anxiety |
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| For further information and support groups, please refer to www.adavic.org or www.arcvic.com.au or telephone the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline for assistance. | |||||
Eating Disorders |
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| For further information and support groups, please refer to www.eatingdisorders.org.au or telephone the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline for assistance. | |||||
| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Eating Disorders Carers Support Group | Ballarat | 2nd Thurs / month, 7-9pm | For carers of people with an eating disorder | ||
If you would like a support group added to this database or your details up-dated, please telephone the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline.