Carer Support Group Directory

Carer Support groups offer support, time out from the caring role, an opportunity to share information, and recognition of the role of carers and their contribution to the community. They provide important social and emotional support and can help reduce the feelings of isolation often experienced by carers. The following listing provides details of open on-going carer support groups. It generally does not include carer/consumer combined groups or education�only groups. Many community mental health and inpatient services also run sessions for families who have a relative using their service. To find out if your local service is running support sessions, contact your relative�s case manager.

Are you a Carer Consultant? Would you like your name listed? Click "Post carers consultants" button to send us your details.

Have your contact details changed? Click here to send us your details.

Metropolitan Carer Support Groups

Name	Contact	Phone	Meeting Time	Meeting Place	Comments
Eastern Region
ARAFEMI Relatives & Friends Support Group	ARAFEMI	9810 9300	4th Thurs/month 7:30-9:30 pm	Ground Floor, 270 Auburn Road Hawthorn 3122	Please phone before attending group. Liz Ward, Convener support groups on 9810 9300
Bridging the Gaps Forum	ARAFEMI	9810 9300	2nd Thurs/month 7:45-9:30 pm	Box Hill South Family Centre 1228A Riversdale Rd BOX HILL SOUTH	Education & information sessions for parents and family carers of young people (16+ yrs)
Ferntree Gully Family Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	8486 4200	3rd Wed/month 7.45pm	Halcyon, 3 The Avenue, FERNTREE GULLY
Ringwood Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	8486 4200	1st Mon/month 7.00pm	Suite 9, 18-20 Floriston Road, BORONIA
Waverley Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	8486 4200	1st Sat/month 2.00pm	7 Dunscombe Avenue (off Coleman Pde), Monash Link Comm House Service, SYNDAL	Please telephone before attending
Yarra Valley Mental Health Carer Support Group	Shirley at Rivendell or Liz at ARAFEMI	5962 2388 or 9810 9300	2nd Mon/month 7.00-9.00pm except Mar & Apr (meeting 3rd Mon)	Rivendell, 1 Badger Creek Road Healesville
Northern Region
Rosanna Carer Support Group	Rev Peter Sanders	9459 8859	1st Wed/month 10am	Rosanna Uniting Church 21 Arden St, ROSANNA
Mill Park Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	8486 4200	4th Wed/month 8.00pm	Adult Training Centre, Plenty Road, SOUTH MORANG
Greek Carers Support Group	Nikki	9355 9700	1st Mon/month 1:30pm	North West Mental Health Services 7 Union St, BRUNSWICK
Finchley Family & Friends Group	Raewin	9309 8784	3rd Thurs/month 7.30pm-9.30pm	Broadmeadows Health Service 393 Camp Road BROADMEADOWS	This group also covers the Western region.
Eltham Carer Support Group	Rev Peter Sanders	9459 8859	2nd Thurs/month 8pm	Eltham Uniting Church Hall Cnr. John St & Main Rd ELTHAM
Darebin Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	8486 4200	1st Mon/month 7.00pm	648 High Street, (cnr Tyler & High St) RESERVOIR
City of Yarra Family and/or Carer Support Group	Jeanette Murphy or Claudia Moratto	9288 4765	7.00pm 1st Thur/month	North Carlton 'Railway Station' Neighbourhood House, 20 Solly Avenue, Princes Hill	Please call prior to meeting. Open to families and/or carers who reside or have the care recipient reside in City of Yarra Jeanette 9288 4765 or Claudia 9495 2524
Caring 4 Carers	Mary	9416 9111	2nd Wed/month 7-9 pm	Darebin CMHC 83 Hotham St PRESTON	Part education, part support
Carers supporting Carers	Lynne or Lisa	9496 6460	3rd Thurs/month 7.00pm	NECMHS, 77 Hawdon Street Heidelberg
Southern Region
Wings of Care Family Support Group	Lorraine	9527 4866	1 Sun/month	CAULFIELD area	For Jewish carers
Rosebud Support Group	Carmel (Frankston Hospital)	9784 7099	1st Thurs/month, 2.00pm-4.00pm	St John Baptist Church, Boneo Rd, WEST ROSEBUD
Reach Out Southern Mental Health	Heather	95855677	21 Sept 2.00pm	Reach Out Southern Mental Health, 8B Park Road, Cheltenham. Conference Room	This is the first meeting for the group. For future dates contact Heather
Reach Out Carers Group	Heather	95855677	3rd Thursday/Monthly at 2.00pm	Reach Out Southern Mental Health, 8B Park Road, Cheltenham. Conference Room
Inner South Parents and Friends Support Group	Judith or Penny Email: AlfredPsych.Parents Friends@alfred.org.au	8552 0555	2nd Tues/month 7:30pm	Betty Day Centre, 67 Argyle Street, ST KILDA	Mutual support and information sharing for families and carers of people with a mental illness
Frankston Family Support Group	Carmel (Frankston Hospital)	9784 7099	3rd Mon/month	Brotherhood of St Laurence complex Kindergarten room, High St FRANKSTON.
ERMHA Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Group for Carers & Consumers	Nathan	9706 7388	Alternate Weds pm and Sats	DANDENONG area	For carers and consumers from non-English speaking backgrounds
Dandenong Carers Support Group	Beth	9546 7754	2nd Tues/month 7.30pm	67 Robinson Street, DANDENONG
Cheltenham Partners Group	Heather	9585 5744	2nd Wed/month 7pm	Southern Mental Health Association, 3 Stanley Ave, CHELTENHAM	For partners of people with a mental illness
Cheltenham Carer Support Group	Heather	9585 5744	1st Wed/month 7:30 pm	Southern Mental Health Association, 3 Stanley Ave, CHELTENHAM	Open to all carers in Southern Region, includes guest speakers
Bridging the Gaps Forum	ARAFEMI	9810 9300	1st Thurs/month 7:45-9:30pm	Southern Family Life 197 Bluff Rd SANDRINGHAM	Education & information sessions for parents and family carers of young people (16+ yrs)
Aged Carer Support Group	Lorraine Burns or Putheavy Pan	9540 3963 or 9212 3000	3rd Mon/month 10.00am-12.00 noon	Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre Southern Region, 50 Walker St, (Cnr Walker St & Thomas St), Dandenong	For carers of older people with a mental illness
Western Region
Wyndham Carer Support Group	Helen	8734 1576	4th Tues/Month 7.00-9.00pm	For more information contact Helen
Westgate Support Group Inc. for Carers of People with a Mental Illness	Grace Rankin Isis Primary Health Care		2nd Tues/month 7pm	330 Queens St, ALTONA MEADOWS	Sharing and caring with people who have similar experiences, with representation on the Network
Men Carers Group	Peter or David (Carerlinks West)	9396 1077	1st Mon/month	KEILOR or WEST FOOTSCRAY area	For male carers only
Italian Carers Group	Silvia or Christine	9355 9700 or 9377 3400	1 Mon/month	Moreland CCT	Only for people linked to a public mental health clinic. Other Italian-speaking carers could contact COASIT on 9349 9000 for info on other groups
Gisborne Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	8486 4200	2nd Thurs/month 8.00pm every 2nd month	Gisborne Community Health Centre GISBORNE	Runs February ?November
Finchley Family & Friends Group	Raewin	9309 8784	3rd Thurs/month 7:30-9:30pm	Broadmeadows Health Service 393 Camp Rd BROADMEADOWS	This group also covers part of the Northern region.
Brimbank Carers Group	Susan	9310 7166	1st Tues/month 7:30-10pm	Norwood Assocn 1 Andrea St ST ALBANS	Please phone before attending group
Borderline Personality Carers?Support Group	Peter	9376 9844	3rd Thurs/month 7-9 pm	Bouverie Centre, Flemington St, FLEMINGTON 3052	Contact Peter first

Rural Carer Support Groups

Name	Contact	Phone	Meeting Time	Meeting Place	Comments
Barwon South Western
Sage Hill Carers Service	Peter	5561 5261		Sage Hill 1 Princess St WARRNAMBOOL	Contact Peter for specific groups/programs including children program
Geelong Barwon Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5229 8827	3rd Wed/month 6:30pm	Sir Charles Darling Hotel, Bellarine St, GEELONG
Geelong Moods Support Group	Reid	5222 5999	3rd Wed/month	139 Yarra St GEELONG	For carers of people with mood disorders
Gippsland
Warragul Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5623 1313
Inverloch Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5672 3111	1st Wed/month 10 am	Inverloch Day Centre, Reilly St INVERLOCH
Sale Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5144 7777	4th Tues/month 7 pm	Neighbourhood House, Leslie St SALE
Bairnsdale Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5144 7777	2nd Wed/month alternate afternoon & evenings	170 Nicholson St, BAIRNSDALE
Grampians
Horsham Family & Friends Mental Health Support Group	Nola (Carers Choice)	5333 7104	Last Mon/month 7pm	Horsham Community House 4 Pearl St HORSHAM
Daylesford Carer Support Group	Nola (Carers Choice)	5333 7104	Fortnightly 7pm	Frangos & Frangos 82 Vincent St DAYLESFORD
Creswick Carer Support Group	Bronwyn	5345 8165	Last Tues/month 1:30 pm	Creswick Community Health Centre, CRESWICK	Bi-monthly, March-Nov, not mental health specific
Ballarat Family & Friends Support Group	Nola (Carers Choice)	5333 7104	3rd Wed/month	APROTCH Ballarat Community Health Centre Queen St BALLARAT
Ballarat Begonia Carer Support Group	Nola (Carers Choice)	5333 7104	2nd Wed/month 2pm	APROTCH Ballarat Community Health Centre Queen St BALLARAT
Bacchus Marsh Support Group	Nola (Carers Choice)	5333 7104	Not current		Please call Nola to express an interest
Hume
Wangaratta Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	9482 4199	3rd Wed/month 7:30-10 pm	Ovens & King Community Health Service, 86-90 Rowan St, WANGARATTA
Violet Town/Benalla Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	9482 4199	3rd Wed/month 7:30 pm	Delatite Community Centre, Mair St, BENALLA
Shepparton Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5831 8905	1st Mon/month 7 pm	Goulburn Valley Community Health, 272 Maude St, SHEPPARTON
Seymour Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5831 8905	1st Fri/month 1:30pm	Goulburn Valley Family Care, High St, SEYMOUR
Lancefield Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5831 8905	3rd Wed/month 10 am	Neighbourhood House, LANCEFIELD
Bright & Myrtleford Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	5831 8905	2nd Tues/month 7 pm	Community Health Service, 32 Smith St MYRTLEFORD
Albury/Wodonga Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	9482 4199	4th Tues/month 7pm	Mtg Rm, Upper Hume Community Health Service, Stanley St, WODONGA
Loddon Mallee
Southern Mallee Mental Health Carer Group	Jo or Jill	5032 3793 5032 4479	Last Wed/month 1-3pm	Mallee Family Care Building 63 McCrae St, SWAN HILL
Murray Valley Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	0414 641 091	3rd Wed/month 7:30 pm	St Luke, 114 Hume St ECHUCA
Mildura Support Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	0414 641 091	1st Tues/month 7 pm	1 Vidovic Ave MILDURA
HOT SOX	Chantal	5422 1713	3rd Fri/month 10am	Cobaw Community Health Centre	For parents of children and adolescents with MH Issues
Family & Friends Discussion Group	Faye	5454 7753	Once a month	BENDIGO	Please call Faye for more details
Castlemaine Carers Group	Mental Illness Fellowship	0414 641 091	2nd Tues/month 2-5 pm	Ray Bradfield Rooms, Victory Park, CASTLEMAINE
ARAFEMI Bendigo Relatives & Friends Support Group	Jean	5446 1944	1st Fri/month 1-3 pm	8 Olinda St BENDIGO

Specific Groups/Programs

Name	Contact	Phone	Meeting Time	Meeting Place	Comments
CALD Carers
Italian Carers Group	Silvia or Christine	9355 9700 or 9377 3400	1 Mon/month	Moreland CCT	Only for people linked to a public mental health clinic. Other Italian-speaking carers could contact COASIT on 9349 9000 for info on other groups
Greek Carers Support Group	Nikki	9355 9700	1st Mon/month 1:30pm	North West Mental Health Services 7 Union St, BRUNSWICK
ERMHA Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Group for Carers & Consumers	Nathan	9706 5744	Alternate Weds pm and Sats	DANDENONG area	For carers and consumers from non-English speaking backgrounds
Chinese Carer Support Group	Maria (City of Manningham)	9841 5044	1st Mon/month 10-4pm	203 Church Rd DONCASTER	Participants contribute to lunch costs. Speakers invited
ADEC		9480 1666			Offers general carer support groups for CALD communities
Carers of People with a Specific Diagnosis
Support Group for Families of People who have Borderline Personality Disorder	ARAFEMI	9810 9300	1st Wed/month 7-9 pm	Terra Firma 423 Station St, BOX HILL	For carers of people with BPD ?please phone before attending
Social Anxiety Disorder Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	Last Mon/month 7:30pm	Community Meeting Room, Ashburton Library, Cnr Munro Ave & High St, ASHBURTON	For people & families living with social anxiety
North-West Carers Support Group	Helen	8310 1294	Mon 7pm	Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 5 Nelson St, GLENROY	For family, friends and partners of people with an eating disorder
NEEDS	Jacinta	0409 588 551	2nd Wed/month 7pm	Watsonia Neighbourhood House, 47 Lambourne Rd WATSONIA	For families & friends of people with an eating disorder. Please call before attending
Mood Disorders Support Group	Mental Health Foundation of Aust	9427 0406	1st & 3rd Thurs/month 7:30pm	Mental Health House 270 Church St RICHMOND 3121	For people experiencing mood disorders & their families
Families & Friends Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	1st Thurs/month 7:30 pm	The Peppercorn Club 584 Glenferrie Rd, HAWTHORN	For carers of people with an anxiety disorder
Eating Disorder Carer Support Group	Dr Ross King	5227 2781	Last Tues/month 7pm	1 McKillop St, GEELONG	Call to confirm sessions
Carer Support Group for People with an Eating Disorder	Eating Disorders Foundation	9885 0318 or 1300 550 236	Alternate Mons 7-8:30 pm	1513 High St GLEN IRIS	Check with helpline for dates
Carer Support Group for People with an Eating Disorder	Eating Disorders Foundation	9885 0318 or 1300 550 236	Alternate Mons 7-8:30 pm	1513 High St GLEN IRIS	Check with helpline for dates
CAMHS Carer Support Group	Lynne or Georgina	0405 302 371 or 9496 5108	Last Mon/month 7.00-9.00pm	NECMHS, 77 Hawdon Street Heidelberg	Parents & Carers currently or previously using ANY Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Borderline Personality Carers?Support Group	Peter	9376 9844	3rd Mon/month 7-9 pm	The Bouverie Centre, 50 Flemington St, FLEMINGTON 3052	Contact Peter first
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	3rd Thurs/month 7:30pm	Peppercorn Club, 584 Glenferrie Rd, HAWTHORN	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	2nd & 4th Mon/month 7:30pm	Salvation Army Hall Cnr Como St & Main Rd, EMERALD	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	Alternate Mons 10am	La Trobe Valley Cmty Hlth Centre, 42-44 Fowler St, MOE	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	1st Wed/month 7pm	Eastwood Leisure Centre, Eastwood St, BALLARAT	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	2nd & 4th Tues/month 7:30pm	Trudewind Rd Nbhd House, Quirk Crt, WODONGA	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	4th Thurs/month 7:30pm	Ascot Vale Nbhd Centre, Cnr Union Rd & Munro St, ASCOT VALE	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	Last Thurs/month 3pm	ERMHA 65 Robinson St DANDENONG	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
ARCVic Support Group	Anxiety Recovery Centre	9886 9377	2nd Mon/month 7:30pm	Bentleigh Bayside CH Service, Gardeners Rd, EAST BENTLEIGH	For people & families living with anxiety disorders
Children of a parent with MI
VicCHAMPS Peer Support Program	Rose	9871 3983		EASTERN REGION and UPPER HUME	For 5-12 year olds with a parent with a mental illness
SHAnKs	Peter	5561 5261		WARRNAMBOOL	Mutual support, social and ed program for 6-16 yr olds
PATS Peer Support Group	Dawn	5222 6911		GEELONG	For 13-18 year olds with a parent with a mental illness
Kids with Confidence	Sue-Ellen	5454 7753		BENDIGO	Camp programs for children in the Bendigo area
Partners of a person with MI
Mental Health Partners Support Group	Kerry	9276 6400		Carer Respite Centre Southern Region	Call to see if group is running
COPES Partners Support Group	Frances or Tara	9871 3161	1st Monday/month 7.30pm	Please phone for address
Cheltenham Partners Group	Heather	9585 5744	2nd Wed/month 7pm	Southern Mental Health Association, 3 Stanley Ave, CHELTENHAM	For partners of people with a mental illness