Statewide Mutual Support and Self Help Agencies

The specialist, state-wide Mutual Support and Self Help sector is that part of the service system that seeks to address mental health conditions based on:

• mutual support : the shared experience of people affected by mental health conditions underlies MSSH services, and promotes mutual support and community connectedness
• self-help: MSSH services encourage people to be active in their own recovery, and support a holistic approach to improve mental and emotional well-being and quality of life;
• choice: service users decide when and how often they access and participate in services - there are no waiting lists, eligibility criteria, or limits to service use, and assistance can be sought at any time through a range of means including web-sites, email, telephone and groups.

MSSH services support recovery, and complement clinical and rehabilitation and support services.

During 2004, with funding from the Eastern Region of the Department of Human Services, the agencies developed a Service Development Plan. The complete text of the Plan is available.(3 Mb pdf file)

GROW

GROW has weekly meetings of small groups of people who have experienced depression, anxiety or other mental or emotional distress who come together to help each other deal with the challenges of life. Many people come to GROW while struggling with the loss of a job, a loved one or a relationship.
www.grow.net.au/

The Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc. is part of a world-wide organisation offering friendship and understanding to families following the death of a son or daughter, brother or sister. TCF offers support in the grief and trauma which follows the death of a child at any age and from any cause.
Our purpose is to offer friendship and understanding by reaching out to bereaved parents, to the surviving siblings and other family members to support them in the grief and trauma which follows the death of a child.
We promote the positive resolution of parents' grief, and to foster the physical, emotional and spiritual growth, in an open and friendly environment of bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.
www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/

ARAFEMI

ARAFEMI Victoria is a statewide, not for profit association. ARAFEMI aims to promote and improve the well being of people affected by mental illness. ARAFEMI has a

• Family and Mutual Support Service, which provides support and information to families and carers of people with a mental illness
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation Outreach Service, which provides psychosocial rehabilitation for people living with a mental illness in the community
• Prevention and Recovery Care Centre, in partnership with Eastern Health.

The Family and Mutual Support Service offers

• Support groups for families of people who have a mental illness
• Telephone support, information and referral for families and friends of people experiencing mental illness
• Short term counselling related to the experience of having a family member/s with a mental illness
• Short-term education and skills training courses for carers
• Camberwell Bipolar Group - for people who have experienced mood swings associated with bipolar disorder
• Website

ARAFEMI also offers its members access to the ARAFEMI library and a quarterly newsletter.

www.arafemi.org.au/

Eating Disorders Foundation

The Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria (EDFV) is a non-profit incorporated association founded in the mid 1980's to support those whose lives are affected by eating disorders, and to better inform the community about these disorders. The Foundation's community-based board of management comprises people who have a personal or professional interest in eating disorder issues.

The EDFV seeks to:

• respond to the needs of both people experiencing eating disorders and carers - recognising the impact of eating disorders beyond the individual
• provide information, knowledge, support and resources in order to encourage resilience and recovery and lessen the impact of the eating disorder on the quality of life of individuals and families
• advocate for systemic change for improved access to treatment facilities for sufferers of eating disorders, support for carers and for the reduction of the stigma associated with eating disorders and other mental illnesses
• raise awareness of eating disorders by means of general community education and specialist training for specific sectors
• promote the need for a focus on prevention, early intervention and health promotion.

www.eatingdisorders.org.au/

PANDA

The Post and Ante Natal Depression Association Inc. is a Victorian, statewide, not for profit association which works for women and their families affected by ante natal and postnatal mood disorders. PaNDa's support network is run by dedicated staff and trained volunteers, some of whom have experienced PND or psychosis.

PaNDa Offers:

• Telephone support and information for sufferers and families, provided by staff and volunteers.
• Resources and referral information.
• Information on supports in your area.
• Information, education and training seminars for professionals and community groups.
• Literature on antenatal and postnatal depression and pyschosis.
• Staff and volunteers as guest speakers.
• Community information displays.
• Regular newsletters to members.

www.panda.org.au

Anxiety Recovery Centre

The Anxiety Recovery Centre provides support, recovery, early intervention and educational services for people and families living with anxiety disorders. Information, consultation and training are provided to professionals and mental health care agencies.

Activities and services offered include

• OCD and Anxiety HelpLine
• Recovery Programs and Workshops
• Pen Pal and Telephone Support Networks
• Family and Carer Program
• Community education
• Information and library services
• Advocacy
• Professional education, consultation and training
• Early intervention programs

www.arcvic.org.au