Resources for Peer Support
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| Program | Service Provider | Program Description | Location |
| 8 Stages of Healing | Hunter New England Mental Health Service | 8 stage program coordinated by an ARAFMI member, promoting self awareness and mutual support. Program commencing in September 2005. | Newcastle |
| Adolescent Peer Support Program | Gaining Ground Program | Brings teenagers together with the aim of enhancing their resiliency. Aims to develop coping skills, break down stigma and isolation and develop skills in stress management, communication and self esteem. | south western Sydney |
| Arabic Women's Group | Sydney Women's Counselling Centre | Groups for Arabic speaking women | Campsie |
| ARAFMI Information and Support Line | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Telephone support, referral and information | available across NSW |
| ARAFMI Wollongong MHU Carers Support Group | ARAFMI Illawarra | Inpatient carer groups | Wollongong Hospital |
| Armenian Support Group | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Chatswood | |
| Ashfield Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | Ashfield |
| Assistance with Arranging Short Term & Emergency Respite for Carers | Far West Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Provides information and advice on different support options. Carer support group. | Broken Hill |
| Bateau Bay Support Group | ARAFMI Central Coast | Support group | Bateau Bay |
| Bathurst Carer Support Group | Greater Western Area Mental Health Service | Meetings run by carers with guest speakers | Bathurst |
| Bereaved by Suicide Support Group | Lifeline Macarthur | Support group for people who have suffered the loss of a friend or family member through suicide | Narellan |
| Blacktown Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Doonside |
| Broken Hill ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Broken Hill | |
| Camps | On Fire! | Provide peer support, mental health learning groups and life skills development for children whose parents or sibling have mental health issues. An opportunity for young people to talk about feelings and experiences and learn ways of coping. | various |
| Cantonese Carer Support Group | St Vincents Mental Health Service | Provides support and education for Cantonese carers. Group meets monthly. | Darlinghurst |
| Care for Carers Project | Lifeline Western Sydney | A program of therapeutic & support groups for carers of people with a mental illness or disorder conducted in conjunction with Parramatta Mission. Proposed programs for groups, couples and individuals. | Parramatta and Blacktown |
| Carer Coping Skills | Macquarie Hospital | Programs about coping skills for carers groups in hospital units. Times arranged by Unit staff. | Macquarie Hospital |
| Carer Counselling | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Individual counselling and support groups | northern beaches |
| Carer Network Meeting | Sydney West Area Mental Health Services | Advocacy and input into service development, implementation and evaluation | Penrith |
| Carer Networking | Central West Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | Central West |
| Carer Networking | Hunter Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | Wallsend |
| Carer Networking | Illawarra Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | Illawarra region |
| Carer Networking | Inner West Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers, eg information on carer support groups. | Inner West of Sydney |
| Carer Networking | Nepean Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | Penrith |
| Carer Networking | New England Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Tamworth | |
| Carer Networking | Orana Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | Dubbo |
| Carer Networking | Riverina Murray Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | Wagga Wagga |
| Carer Networking | South West Sydney Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | |
| Carer Networking | Western Riverina Murray Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | Programs to link carers with other carers | |
| Carer Support Group | Anorexia and Bulimia Family Support Group | Support group of carers meets from time to time at a set venue | New Lambton Heights |
| Carer Support Group | WAROMI | Support group meets monthly to provide advice collectively. Reviews problems/successes and offers asistance/ advice/ sources of help. | Katoomba |
| Carer Support Program | Springwood Carers Support Group | Informal monthly gathering to provide peer support. | Springwood |
| Carers Network Meeting | Tweed Valley Mental Health Carers Network | General network monthly meeting providing carer education with guest speaker and light refreshments. | Tweed Heads |
| Carers Support Group | Ryde Community Mental Health Carers Support Group | Informal get together to provide oppoprtunities to discuss concerns as carers. Occasional guest speakers. Supper provided by Ryde Community Mental Health Centre. | Eastwood |
| Carers Talk-Link | Carers NSW, Inc | Teleconferencing based on mutual support model (Closed group: 6 participants and 2 facilitators). This experience reduces the sense of isolation and may develop existing coping skills as well as providing a sense of connection. | |
| Carers Weekly Drop-In Group | ARAFMI Illawarra | Weekly informal drop-in group offers support and information including videos and other resources. | Wollongong |
| Caring and Sharing | Bankstown Mental Health Family and Friends Support Group | Helping and supporting each other | Bankstown |
| Cessnock Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | Cessnock |
| Cessnock Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Cessnock |
| Chinese Carers' and Consumers' Support Group | Fairfield and Liverpool Mental Health Service | Fairfield | |
| Chinese Support Group | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Chatswood | |
| Cowra ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Support group offering caring and sharing, information and advocacy | Cowra |
| Cronulla/Sutherland ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Support group offering caring and sharing, information and advocacy. Phone the contact number for information about dates and venues of forthcoming events. | Sutherland Shire |
| Day Support Meeting | Tweed Valley Mental Health Carers Network | Peer support and information. Light refreshments provided. | Tweed Heads |
| Disability Support Groups for Carers | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Dee Why | |
| Drop In Mornings | Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre | Drop-in morning tea to support new residents/carers and alleviate social isolation | Salamander Bay |
| Early Psychosis Education and Support Group | Hunter New England Mental Health Service | Offers education, information and support. Conducted by ARAFMI Coordinator and Centre for Psychotherapy Social Worker. | Newcastle |
| Early Psychosis Parents Support and Advocacy Network | Eastern Suburbs Mental Health Service | Ongoing information, education and support | Bondi Junction |
| Eastern Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Bondi |
| Eastern Suburbs ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Support group offering caring and sharing, information and advocacy. | Bondi |
| Elouera Inpatient Unit Carer Support Group | Illawarra Health Service | Support group for carers | Shellharbour Hospital |
| EPIS Support Group | Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Mental Health Service | Early Psychosis Intervention Service support group | Hornsby area |
| Family and Carer Support Program | Greater Southern Area Health Service | Programs about general mental illness, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders. Includes support group. Also available by telephone/teleconferencing. Information package available. | Queanbeyan, Young, Goulburn, Yass, Cooma, Bombala, Bega, Bungendore, Batemans Bay |
| Getaway Camps | Gaining Ground Program | Aims to provide specific activities in which children/young people can have fun, explore their feelings, enhance their coping, communication and social skills in a friendly supportive environment. It seeks to provide a respite from stress. | campsites around NSW |
| Grafton ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Informal support network offering caring and sharing, information and advocacy | Grafton |
| Greek Carers' Support Group | Fairfield and Liverpool Mental Health Service | Liverpool | |
| Grief and Loss Counselling | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Grief and loss counselling/support group | Dee Why |
| Griffith ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Griffith | |
| Group Counselling | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Group counselling/support ansd social | northern Sydney |
| Group Counselling and Peer Support | Mental Health Support Group of Tamworth & District | Group counselling and peer support facilitated by a retired family counsellor. Happens spontaneously when a group with common problems meets for support. | Tamworth |
| Hastings Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Port Macquarie |
| Healing Your Life | Petrea King Quest for Life Centre | Learn how to gain peace and healing in your life. Also some weekend programs and time-out/respite opportunities. | Bundanoon |
| Information and Support Line | ARAFMI Central Coast | Telephone information, support and referral | available around NSW |
| Information and Support Line | ARAFMI Hunter | Telephone information, support and referral | available around NSW |
| Information and Support Line | ARAFMI Illawarra | Telephone information, support and referral | available around NSW |
| Information and Support Line | ARAFMI Sydney South West | Telephone information, support and referral | available around NSW |
| Information Pack | Blacktown City Mental Health | Information package | |
| Information Service | Tweed Valley Mental Health Carers Network | Drop in centre, offering carer advocacy, mental health education, peer & family carer support, face to face & via telephone. Can also provide guest speakers to address community groups. | Tweed Heads |
| Information/Social Activity Days | Mid North Coast Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre | ||
| Italian Support Group | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Italian support group | Dee Why |
| Kempsey Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Kempsey |
| Khmer Carers' Support Group | Fairfield and Liverpool Mental Health Service | South West Sydney | |
| Kids Konnecting Club | ARAFMI Central Coast | Support group for young carers where they can meet each other, share feelings and gain support and information. | Bateau Bay |
| Kincumber Support Group | ARAFMI Central Coast | Family support | Kincumber |
| Kirkwood Combo "Double Trouble" Family Information Group | Hunter New England Mental Health Service | Multi family group model provides information and promotes problem solving and support. Includes barbeque lunch and sessions for clients only; family only; and family and clients. Conducted by clinical staff of Dual Diagnosis Service. | Newcastle |
| Lake Cathie Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | |
| Lake Macquarie | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Charlestown |
| Lake Macquarie Care and Share Group | Hunter New England Mental Health Service | Provides mutual support and guest speakers. Supported recovery Liaison person available to groups. | Cardiff |
| Lithgow Carer Support Group | Lithgow Carer Education Support Group | Meetings based on the 14 Principles of Coping Program. Educates about types of mental illness, coping with stress, loss and grief; issues around dependency; setting limits and sources of help. | Lithgow Hospital |
| Lower North Shore Psychoeducational Support Group | Royal Nth Shore Hospital & Community Mental Health Service | Support group program utilises psychoeducation and problem solving, sharing of support and information by carers. | Northern Sydney |
| Male Carers Group | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Support group | northern Sydney |
| Monthly General Meeting | Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Association Inc (HKA) Action for Mental Health | Monthly general meeting features talks by Head of of Mental Health Service and other relevant professionals from Hornsby Hospital | Wahroonga |
| Multicultural Carers Support | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Dee Why | |
| Multiple Family Groups | ARAFMI Illawarra | McFarlane model: Involves the whole family with the purpose of empowering them and is delivered in the clinical setting. It engages the person with mental illness, the carer and the mental health professional. | Wollongong |
| Multiple Family Groups | Blacktown City Mental Health | McFarlane Model: Involves the whole family with the purpose of empowering them and is delivered in the clinical setting. It engages the person with mental illness, the carer and the mental health professional. | Bungarribee House, Blacktown Hospital |
| Newcastle Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Newcastle |
| Night Support Meeting | Tweed Valley Mental Health Carers Network | Peer support and information. Refreshments provided. | Tweed Heads |
| North Richmond Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | North Richmond |
| North Shore Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Crows Nest |
| Northern Beaches Mental Health Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Dee Why |
| Parramatta Leisure Club | Parramatta Mission | Joint venture involving Western Sydney Area Heatlh Service and the Schizophrenia Fellowship. Provides a range of leisure and social activities designed to give people affected by mental illness the chance to have fun, relax and form friendships. | Parramatta |
| Peer Support | Family and Carers Group for the Mentally Ill | Group meeting to provide assistance and support | Lismore |
| Penrith ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Support group offering caring and sharing, information and advocacy | Penrith |
| Penrith Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | Penrith |
| Port Macquarie Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | Port Macquarie |
| Postvention | Southern Community Welfare Inc | Support group for people bereaved by suicide | Sutherland area |
| Queanbeyan ARAFMI Support Group | ARAFMI NSW Inc | Support group offering caring and sharing, information and advocacy | Queanbeyan |
| Serbian Support Group | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Serbian support group | Dee Why |
| Shoalhaven Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Nowra |
| SibChat | Siblings Australia Inc | An internet discussion group for adults who have a sibling with special needs. | |
| SibChat4Kids | Siblings Australia Inc | Internet discussion group for children who are siblings to someone with special needs | |
| SMILES Program | Carers NSW, Inc | Educates about the most frequent mental health problems and aims to improve the young carer's capacity to cope | varying |
| Social Support Groups | Co.As.It.: Italian Association of Assistance | Aim to reduce the isolation and increase the socialisation of ageing members of the Italo-Australian community. | Sydney metropolitan |
| South West Rocks Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | South West Rocks |
| Southern Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Gymea |
| Spanish Speaking Women's Support Group | Fairfield and Liverpool Mental Health Service | Come along and paint, sew or knit | Fairfield |
| Spanish Support Group | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Spanish support group | Dee Why |
| Special Needs Parenting Skills | Relationships Australia (NSW) | Specialised support groups in parenting skills | |
| Summer Hill Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Summer Hill |
| Sunday Outings and Sleepovers | On Fire! | Leisure opportunities for children whose parents or sibling have mental health issues. | varying |
| Support Group | On Track Community Program | Support group | Tweed area |
| Support Group for Families and Carers | Fairfield and Liverpool Mental Health Service | Liverpool Hospital | |
| Support Groups | Depression and Mood Disorders Association of NSW | ||
| Support Groups | Serenity NSW Inc | Groups for consumers and carers held in a number of locations. May include stress management, coping with grief and loss, information about mental ilness, coping skills and group counselling | greater Sydney |
| Tamworth Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Tamworth |
| Teens Helping Teens! | Siblings Australia Inc | Website page for teenagers with a sibling who has special needs. Teenagers can contribute their stories about being a sibling to be posted on the website; read what other siblings have to say; or offer suggestions about how to support teen siblings. | |
| TeenSibChat | Siblings Australia Inc | Online discussion group | |
| Telephone Group Counselling | Greater Western Area Mental Health Service | Eight week program to support geographically isolated carers | |
| Tongan Support Group | Carers Network (Northern Beaches) | Tongan support group | Dee Why |
| Vietnamese Carers' Support Group | Fairfield and Liverpool Mental Health Service | Cabramatta | |
| Wagga Carers Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Wagga Wagga | |
| Wagga Support After Suicide | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Wagga Wagga | |
| Wallsend Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | Wallsend |
| Wauchope Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Wauchope |
| Western Schizophrenia Fellowship Support Group | Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc | Information and education for consumers and carers. | Parramatta |
| Windale Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | Windale |
| Wingecarribee Mental Health Carer Support Group | ARAFMI Sydney South West | Run by psychologist. Provides information, counselling referral | Mittagong |
| Wollongong Inpatient Unit Carer Support Group | Illawarra Health Service | Support group for carers | Wollongong |
| Women's Teleconferencing Group | Co.As.It.: Italian Association of Assistance | To allow older housebound people to converse with other members of the group by phone in their own language about their life experiences and the challenges of ageing. | |
| Woy Woy Support Group | ARAFMI Central Coast | Family support includes education, emotional support, carer networking, resource sharing | Woy Woy |
| Wyong Family Support Meeting | Family Drug Support | Nonreligious, open meetings for family members affected by drugs and alcohol. Open to anyone and providing opportunities to talk and listen to others in a non-judgmental, safe environment. | Wyong |
| Young People Connecting | ARAFMI Central Coast | Support group for carers aged 13 to 18. Includes managing stress, information on mental illness, coping skills and goal setting. | Bateau Bay |
| Young Sibs Page | Siblings Australia Inc | Website page where young siblings of people with an illness or disability can read what other children in the same situation have to say; email their own story about being a sibling; and find out about books and internet links. |