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 | Around Manningham Council Area | 1st Tues / month, 10am-4pm (except during school holidays) | 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 Tue / 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 - Carer Support Group | Dandenong | 1st and 3rd Tues / month, 12.30-2.30pm | For carers of people with a mental illness | ||
| 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 - 12 noon | 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. | ||
| ARCVIC- OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Dandenong | 2nd Wed/ month, 1.30-3.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for carers of people living with anxiety disorders and carers. | ||
Inner South East |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Inner South Parents & Friends Support Group | St Kilda | 2nd Tues / month at 7.30-9.00pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| GROW Better Together -Carer Support Group | 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- next meeting August 18th | 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 | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Bentleigh East | 2nd Mon/ month, 7.30pm – 9.30pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers. | ||
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- Mental Health Foundation of Australia | South Yarra | 3rd Tue/ month, 7.30-9.00pm | 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 | ||
| ADAVIC -Parenting Support Group | Kew | 2nd Wed/ month, 7.30-9pm | For parents of children with anxiety or depression | ||
| Bridging the Gaps - Eastern | Hawthorn | 2nd Thur / month, 7.30-9.30pm | Education, information and support for parents and family carers. | ||
Mid West |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Brimbank Carers Group | Sunshine | 1st Tues / month, 7.00-9.00pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Melton Depression & Bipolar Support Group | Melton | 1st & 3rd Tues / month, 7.00-8.30pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
Middle South |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Cheltenham Carer Support Group- Lantern | 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 | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Bentleigh East | 2nd Mon/ month, 7.30pm – 9.30pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers. | ||
| Young Persons Group- LANTERN | Cheltenham | tba | For young people aged 8-18 years supporting someone with a mental 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- ON HOLD | 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 | ||
Northern |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| ARAFEMI Supporting Carer Group | Reservoir | 2nd Wed / month, 7-9pm | Open support and information group 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 | ||
| ARAFEMI Caring 4 Carers | Reservoir | 4th Wed / month, 12.30-2.30pm | Open support, information, recreation and activity group for carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Northern Families and Carers of People with Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group | Rosanna | 3rd Wed/ month. 7-9 pm | Open support and information group for carers of people with a Borderline Personality Disorder | ||
| Arafemi Partners Group | Rosanna | 1st Wed/ Month. 7-9pm. | Open support and information to partners of someone with a mental illness. | ||
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, 1.30-4.00pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Chelsea Carer Support Group | Chelsea | 3rd Mon/month 1:30pm - 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 Support Group Inc | Altona | 2nd Tues / month, 7-9pm | For Families/ carers of people with a mental illness. The group meets regularly with local area mental health service managers;organises social & fundraising function; community awareness information stalls etc | ||
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 | ||
| Cubby House | St Albans Park | 3rd Thurs / month, 2-4pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| Sweet Peas | 4th Thurs / month, | For carers of someone with a mental illness | |||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Geelong | Last Thursday/ month ,7.00pm – 9.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
Gippsland |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| 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 | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Kooweerup | Last Monday/ month , 1.00pm – 3.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
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 | ||
| Cheltenham Carer Support Group- Lantern | Cheltenham | 1st Wed / month at 7.30-9.00pm | For carers of someone with a mental illness | ||
| 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 | Fortnightly 7pm | 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 | ||
| Bacchus March Parent Support Group | Ballarat | 3rd Tues / month, 10:30-11:30am | PINARC Support Services. The Group meets monthly in Bacchus Marsh to provide support, networking and information sharing for parents and carers of infants, children or young people with disabilities. | ||
| Harrow Carers Group | Harrow | 2nd Mon of every 2nd month, 11.30am-2.30pm | For carers of people with a mental illness | ||
| Depression & Bipolar Support Group | Warracknabeal | For carers of someone with a mental illness | |||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Self Help Support Group | Ballarat | 1st Wed/ monthly , 7.30-9.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
| Young Persons Group- LANTERN | Cheltenham | tba | For young people aged 8-18 years supporting someone with a mental illness | ||
Lodden |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Bendigo Relatives and Friends Support Group | Bendigo | Call above number to find out details | 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 | ||
| The Extremes- Bipolar Community | Bendigo | 1st Tue / month, 7.30-8.30pm | It is a consumer group but all welcome, carers, parents, loved ones and people with Bi-polar Disorder. | ||
| GROW Better Together - Bendigo | Bendigo | Tues / month, 12.30-2.30pm | For carers of people with a mental illness | ||
North East Hume |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
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 | Around Manningham Council Area | 1st Tues / month, 10am-4pm (except during school holidays) | 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
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- ON HOLD | 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 | ||
| Arafemi Partners Group | Rosanna | 1st Wed/ Month. 7-9pm. | Open support and information to partners of someone 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 | ||
| Northern Families and Carers of People with Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group | Rosanna | 3rd Wed/ month. 7-9 pm | Open support and information group for carers of people with a Borderline Personality Disorder | ||
Mood Disorders |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| Mood Disorders Support Group- Mental Health Foundation of Australia | South Yarra | 3rd Tue/ month, 7.30-9.00pm | 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. | |||||
| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| ADAVIC -Parenting Support Group | Kew | 2nd Wed/ month, 7.30-9pm | For parents of children with anxiety or depression | ||
| ARCVIC- OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Dandenong | 2nd Wed/ month, 1.30-3.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for carers of people living with anxiety disorders and carers. | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Bentleigh East | 2nd Mon/ month, 7.30pm – 9.30pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers. | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Geelong | Last Thursday/ month ,7.00pm – 9.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Kooweerup | Last Monday/ month , 1.00pm – 3.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Self Help Support Group | Ballarat | 1st Wed/ monthly , 7.30-9.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
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| Name | Suburb | Meeting Time | Description | ||
| ARCVIC- OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Dandenong | 2nd Wed/ month, 1.30-3.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for carers of people living with anxiety disorders and carers. | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Bentleigh East | 2nd Mon/ month, 7.30pm – 9.30pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers. | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Geelong | Last Thursday/ month ,7.00pm – 9.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Support Group | Kooweerup | Last Monday/ month , 1.00pm – 3.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
| ARCVic OCD & Anxiety Disorders Self Help Support Group | Ballarat | 1st Wed/ monthly , 7.30-9.00pm | The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria run this ongoing open Support Group for people living with anxiety disorders and carers | ||
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.