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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.

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Metropolitan Carer Support Groups

Name Contact Phone Meeting Time Meeting Place Comments

Eastern Region
ARAFEMI - Bridging the Gaps / Hawthorn Support Group ARAFEMI  1300 550 265  2nd Thurs/month 7:30-9:30 pm  Ground Floor, 270 Auburn Road Hawthorn 3122  1300 550 265 
Ferntree Gully Family Support Group Mental Illness Fellowship  8486 4200  3rd Wed/month 7.45pm  Halcyon, 3 The Avenue, FERNTREE GULLY   
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 
ERMHA Carer's Group Deidre Byrne  9796 1000  1st Wed/month 7pm - 8:30pm  The Old Cheese Factory ('The Church') 34 Homestead Road, Berwick  Please phone before attending; supper provided 
GROW - Ringwood Katrina Highman  9528 2977  Please call for details  Group Room C, Building B, Eastern Access Community Health, 46 Warrandyte Road, Ringwood  For Carers of people who are dealing with a mental health issue. 

Northern Region
GROW - Coburg Katrina Highman  9528 2977  Please call for details  Coburg Uniting Chrch Hall, Cnr Victoria St and Louisa St, Coburg  For Carers of people who are dealing with a mental health issue. 
North West Area Carer Peer Support Group Broadmeadows Health Service - Jenny Burger  9355 9700 or 0439 397 927    Spine Room, Broadmeadows Health Service, 35 Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows  Carers, family and friends of someone with a mental illness 
CAMHS Carer Support Group Austin AMHS Carer & Consumer Advisory Group (CCG)  0405 302 371 or 9496 5108  Last Mon/month 7-9pm  77 Hawdon Street, Heidelberg  Contact Lynne or Georgina Parents and carers of people currently or previously using any CAMHS service 
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 Anna  9355 9700  Last Tues/month 1pm - 3pm  North West Mental Health Services, 130 Bell Street, COBURG  For carers of Greek background. Can come from various locations. Call first for group information. Includes psychoeducation & social activities. Group is conducted in Greek. 
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 Jan Gill - Hope Springs  9434 7642  2nd Thurs/month 7:30pm  Eltham Uniting Church Hall Cnr. John St & Main Rd ELTHAM   
Darebin Support Group Mental Illness Fellowship  8486 4200  1st & 3rd Mon/month 7.00pm  648 High Street, REGENT   
Caring 4 Carers Eileen Gibbs  9416 6300  2nd Wed/month 7-9 pm  Darebin CMHC 83 Hotham St PRESTON  Part education, part support 
Carers supporting Carers Lynne   9496 6460  3rd Thurs/month 7.00pm  NECMHS, 77 Hawdon Street Heidelberg   

Southern Region
Grow - Dandeong   9528 2977 / 1800 558 268  1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month 12:30 - 2:30pm  ERMHA, 67 Robinson Street, Dandenong   
GROW - Caulfield Katrina Highman  9528 2977  Please call for details  GROW Community Centre, 707 Glenhuntly Rd, Caulfield South  For Carers of people who are dealing with a mental health issue. 
Baxter Carers Group Lani Peach  9788 1276  1st Tues/month 1pm-3pm  Baxter Village, Gate 2, 8 Robinsons Road, Baxter  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 Lani Peach  9788 1276  2nd Thurs/month 10am-12noon  St Peters Church Meeting Room, Octavia St, Mornington  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.  
Multicultural carers Support Activity Group Zlata Bukarica (Migrant Resource Centre)  9706 8933  Last Tues/month     
Cardinia Carer Support Group Wendy White (Community Health Service)  5968 8146  2nd Wed/month 10:30am-12 noon  Cardinia area  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.  
CAS Carer Support Group Barbara Went  9265 1482  1st Mon/month 10:30am-12:30pm    For carers of people with neurological disorders 
Berwick carer Support Group Jan Mattrow (Community Health Service)  9791 5700  1st Fri/month 10am-12 noon  Berwick  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.  
Men's Carer Support Group Putheavy Pan (CCRCSMR)  9212 3000  2nd Friday/month    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.  
Cranbourne Carer Support Group Jill Rees (Community Health Service)  5990 6789  2nd Wed/month  Cranbourne area  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.  
CALD Carer Support Group Kerrie Lyons (MOIRA Disability & Youth Service)  8552 2222  3rd Thurs/month 12pm  Dandenong area  For parents who were born overseas and have a child with a disability 
Grandparents Support Group Kerrie Lyons (MOIRA Disability & Youth Service)  8552 2222  Monday/monthly 10am - 12 noon  Dandenong Area  For carers of grandchildren with a disability 
DUCKS - Dads understanding Challenging Kids Kerrie Lyons (MOIRA Disability & Youth Service)  8552 2222      Dads group for children with challenging behaviours. Meeting held in a casual pizza shop setting. 
Natural Therapies Awareness Group Kerrie Lyons (MOIRA Disability & Youth Service)  8552 2222      Meets to share information about therapies that assist people with disorders and disabilities 
Chelsea carers Support Group Brian Sinclair (Central Bayside Community Health Service)  9781 9333  3rd Mon/month 1:30pm - 3pm  Chelsea  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 Katrina Szabo & Margaret Labb  9829 0320  Meetings in May & October  John Macrae Centre, Toorak  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 Jaqie Gleeson (Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Service)  9575 5303  1st Wed/month 7:30pm-9:30pm  Brighton  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.  
Bentleigh Bayside Carer Support Group Nora Hurrell  9575 5336  3rd Thurs/month 10-11am  Bentleigh  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 Sue Bottomley & Anne Varley  9523 6666  1st Wed/month  Malvern  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. 
Caulfield Carer Support Group Mary D'Aloia  9276 6244  1st Thurs/month 1pm  Caulfield  For carers who provide substantial care and support to a friend or relative who is frail, aged, has a mental illness, disability or a chronic illness. 
GROW - Better Together Katrina Highman  9528 2977  Weekly 2 hr meeting, Carers are encouraged to attend at least 3 weekly meetings to ascertain whether the group is right for them  GROW Community Centre, 707 Glenhuntly Rd, Caulfield South  Carers meet together weekly to share experiences, gain support, increase coping skills, knowledge and understanding through the use of the structured GROW program. 
ERMHA Carer Support Group ERMHA  9706 7388  4th Wed/month 1:30pm  ERMHA, Aspirations, 65-67 Robinson Street, Dandenong  For carers of people with a mental illness 
Wings of Care Family Support Group Lorraine - Jewish Mental Health Network, www.wingsofcare.org.au  9527 4866  Varies - call to find out  CAULFIELD area  For Jewish carers 
Rosebud Support Group Carmel - Carer Consultant (Frankston Hospital)  9784 7099  1st Thurs/month, 1.30pm-3.30pm  St John Baptist Church, Boneo Rd, WEST ROSEBUD   
Reach Out Carers Group Heather  95855677  1stThurs/Monthly at 7.00pm  Reach Out Southern Mental Health, 3 Stanley Ave, Cheltenham. Conference Room   
Inner South Parents and Friends Support Group Judith or Penny Email: AlfredPsych.Parents Friends@alfred.org.au Website: www.vicnet.net.au/~waiora/  9076 4713  2nd Tues/month 7:30pm  Betty Day Centre, 67 Argyle Street, ST KILDA / Homeground Services, Bath St, (cnr Inkerman St) St Kilda While Betty Day Centre is renovated in June  Mutual support and information sharing for families and carers of people with a mental illness 
Frankston Family Support Group Carmel - Carer Consultant (Frankston Hospital)  9784 7099  3rd Mon/month 7:30pm  Brotherhood of St Laurence complex Kindergarten room, High St FRANKSTON.  All carers of people with a mental illness are welcome to attend 
Cheltenham Partners Group Heather  9585 5677  2nd Wed/month 7pm-9pm  Southern Mental Health Association, 3 Stanley Ave, CHELTENHAM  For partners of people with a mental illness 
Cheltenham Carer Support Group Heather Geerts  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  1300 550 265  1st Wed/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
Wellways Mental Illness Fellowship  8486 4200       
North West Area Carer Peer Support Group Broadmeadows Health Service - Jenny Burger  9355 9700 or 0439 397 927    Broadmeadows  Carers, family and friends of someone with a mental illness 
Men Carers Group Robyn Close - Carers Vic - Respite Connections  9396 9550  1st Mon/month  Level 1, 37 Albert Street, Footscray  For male carers only 
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   9365 9500  1st Tues/month 7:30-10pm  Norwood Assocn 1 Andrea St ST ALBANS  Please phone before attending group 

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
Cranbourne Support Group Jill Rees (Community Health Service)  5990 6789  2nd Wed/month  Cranbourne area   
Latrobe Community Health Service Carer Support Group / Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre Support Group Anne Rhodes-Andrew, Mental Health Worker Latrobe Community Health Service  5990 6789  2nd Wed/month  Morwell Neighbourhood House, 48-50 Beattie Crescent, Morwell  Practical and emotional support to carers of people with a mental illness, anyone in the Latrove Valley, Sale or Baw Baw Shire. 
Warragul Support Group Mental Illness Fellowship  5623 1313       
Inverloch Support Group Mental Illness Fellowship  8486 4222  2nd 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  8486 4222  2nd Wed/month 7pm  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 Ros Hart  5333 7104  Fortnightly 7pm  Frangos & Frangos 82 Vincent St DAYLESFORD   
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   

Hume
Wangaratta Support Group Mental Illness Fellowship  8486 4222  3rd Tues/month 7:30-10 pm  Ovens & King Community Health Service, 86-90 Rowan St, WANGARATTA   
Bright & Myrtleford Support Group Mental Illness Fellowship  8486 4222  Lunch once per month  Community Health Service, 32 Smith St MYRTLEFORD   

Loddon Mallee
Carer Support Services Julie Phelan @ Bendigo Health  5454 6000  Various  various  Julie can refer callers to a wide range of support services in the area 
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  8486 4222  3rd Wed/month 7:30 pm  St Luke, 114 Hume St ECHUCA   
Mildura Support Group Mental Illness Fellowship  8486 4222  1st Tues/month 7 pm  1 Vidovic Ave MILDURA   
HOT SOX Chantal  5422 1713 or 0417 557 720  3rd Fri/month 10am  Cobaw Community Health Centre  For parents of children and adolescents with MH Issues 
Family & Friends Discussion Group Faye  5454 7753  last wed/month  8 Olinda Street BENDIGO  Please call Faye for more details and before attending 
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
Multicultural carers Support Activity Group Zlata Bukarica (Migrant Resource Centre)  9706 8933  Last Tues/month     
CALD Carer Support Group Kerrie Lyons (MOIRA Disability & Youth Service)  8552 2222  3rd Thurs/month 12pm  Dandenong area  For parents who were born overseas and have a child with a disability. 
Wings of Care Family Support Group Lorraine - Jewish Mental Health Network, www.wingsofcare.org.au  9527 4866  Varies - call to find out  Caulfield area  For Jewish 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 Anna  9355 9700  last Tues/month 1-3pm  North West Mental Health Services, 130 Bell St, Coburg   
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)  9840 9333  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

Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group Nicci Wall, Cheryl or Pam for more infomation.  9743 9285 or 9743 5564  1st & 3rd Wed/month 7pm-8:30pm  48 Unit Street, Melton  For people experiencing Depression or Bipolar Disoredr and their families/friends 
Combined Support Group (Eating Disorders) Eating Disorders Foundation  9885 0318 or 1300 550 236  Call to find out  The Uniting Centre, 54 Serrell Street, Malvern East  For people recovering from an eating disorder and their families/carers. 
Kew Anxiety Disorders Support Group Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria  9853 8089  Mondays 7:30pm-9:30pm  Kew Senior Citizens Centre, 533 High Street, Kew  $3 members, $5 non-members. For people and their familes and friends living with anxiety or depression. 
Coburg Anxiety Support Group Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria  9853 8089  Mondays 7:30-9:30pm  Nicholson St Community House, 32 Nicholson St, Coburg  $3 members, $5 non-members. For people and their familes and friends living with anxiety or depression. 
Altona Anxiety Support Group Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria  9853 8089  Tuesdays 7:30pm-9:30pm  Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre, 5 Sargood St, Altona  $3 members, $5 non-members. For people and their familes and friends living with anxiety or depression. 
Hampton Park Anxiety Support Group Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria  9853 8089  Thursday 7:30pm-9:30pm  Hampton Park Community House, 16-20 Stuart Ave, Hampton Park  $3 members, $5 non-members. For people and their familes and friends living with anxiety or depression. 
Family & Carer OCD Support Group ARCVic - Jessica  9886 9233    ARCVic, 42 High Street Road, Ashwood  For carers living with a person with OCD. Please call before attending. 
ARCVic - Wodonga ARCVic  9886 9233  Last Tues/month 7:30pm  Trudewind Road Neighbourhood House, Quirk Court, Wodonga  For poeple experiencing anxiety and their families. Please call before attending. 
ARCVic - Geelong ARCVic  9886 9233  Last Thurs/month (Day meeting=1:30-3pm) (Evening Meeting=7pm-9pm)  Guide Hall, 33B Myers Street, Geelong CBD  For poeple experiencing anxiety and their families. Please call before attending. 
ARCVic - Moonee Valley (Ascot Vale) ARCVic  9886 9233  4th Thurs/month 7:30pm  Ascot Vale Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr Union Rd and Munro St, Acot Vale  For poeple experiencing anxiety and their families. Please call before attending. 
ARCVic - South East (Bentleigh) ARCVic  9886 9233  2nd Mon/month 7:30pm  Bentleigh Bayside Community health Service, Gardeners Road, East Bentleigh  For poeple experiencing anxiety and their families. Please call before attending. 
ARCVic - Inner East (Hawthorn) ARCVic  9886 9233  1st & 3rd Thurs/month 7:30pm  The Peppercorn Centre, 584 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn  For poeple experiencing anxiety and their families. Please call before attending. 
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 
NEADS 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 
Eating Disorder Carer Support Group Dr Ross King  5227 8481  Last Mon/month 7pm  1 McKillop St, GEELONG  Call to confirm sessions 
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) 

Children of a parent with MI
Aged Carer Support Group Lorraine Burns or Putheavy Pan  9540 3963 or 9212 3000  3rd Mon/month 10-12noon  Commonwealth carer Respite Centre, Southern region  For carers (including adult chikdren) of older people with a mental illness. 
FaPmi Anne Holland - FaPmi Coordinator - Eastern region  9843 5800    Eastern Region  For 5-12yr olds with a parent with a MI. 
PATS - Rye Michelle Wright  5985 9101  Running in term 4 2008, taking referrals at any time though.  Rye Football Oval  Peer support group for children 12-18yrs of age who have a parent with a mental illness. Limited transport is provided. 
PATS - Cheltenham Lauren Stanley - Reach Out Southern Mental Health  9585 5677  8 week group program - call for dates  8b Park Rd, Cheltenham  Peer support group for children 12-18yrs of age who have a parent with a mental illness. 
PATS - Shepparton Jenny McLeod  5831 3699  8 week group program - call for dates  Shepparton  Peer support group for children 12-18yrs of age who have a parent with a mental illness. 
PATS - Lilydale Katharina Verscharen  9294 6716  8 week group program - call for dates  Lilydale  Peer support group for children 12-18yrs of age who have a parent with a mental illness. 
PATS Kids Club Dawn Foster  5222 6911  twice per year  Geelong  For 10-12yr old kids whose parent has a mental illness 
Melton Young Carers Group Peter Hession - Western Region Health Centre - www.copmi.net.au  9747 6337 or 0411 322 508  Weekly 4:30-6:30pm and school holiday programs  48 Unitt Street, Melton  Recreation based, peer support group for children aged 12-18yrs old that have a parent or carer that suffers from a MI. 
Kids Care Program Heather Geerts & Lauren Stanley, Reachout Southern Mental Health  9585 5677  Meets oneSaturday each month 10am-2pm  Cheltenham - Pls call for more details  Children aged b/w 8-12yrs living in the Southern region. Has someone close to them with a MI. A referral form must be completed before joining and can be requested by calling the contact info listed here. 
VicCHAMPS Peer Support Program www.easternhealth.org.au/champs/index.shtml  All enquiries email: vicChamps@easternhealth.org.au  Various  Various  For 5-12 year olds with a parent with a mental illness. Afterschool and holiday programs, camps, kids club. 
SHAnKs Peter McMahon, Richard Hudson  5561 5261  Last Sunday/month 11am-3pm  WARRNAMBOOL  Call before attending - Mutual support, social and ed program for 6-16 yr olds 
PATS Peer Support Group Dawn Foster  5222 6911    GEELONG  For 13-18 year olds with a parent with a mental illness 
Kids with Confidence Faye  5454 7753    BENDIGO  Camp programs for children in the Bendigo area who have a family member with a MI. Social and mental health educational programs for 7-12yr olds - camps/workshops and 13-18yr olds-monthly group activities. 

Partners of a person with MI
COPES Partners Support Group Sharon or Francis  9758 8508  1st Saturday/month 7.30pm  9 Greenwood Ave, Ringwood   
Cheltenham Partners Group Heather Geerts  9585 5677  2nd Wed/month 7pm-9pm  Southern Mental Health Association, 3 Stanley Ave, CHELTENHAM  For partners of people with a mental illness 

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