Self Help and Support Groups for People with Mood Disorders

The Depression and Mood Disorders Association has a number of groups operating in the Sydney area. We are keen to start up new groups and have been having workshops to explore ideas about what kind of support is needed for people living with mood disorder and their families.

Self help and support groups are coordinated by volunteers. We do not receive any funding to run the groups so dates and times of meetings and contact people may change from time to time. The MHA NSW's Information Service has an up to date listing of current support group volunteers.

We do not have a particular viewpoint about the treatment of mood disorder. We believe that access to information and support enables people to make up their own minds about the kind of treatment, management or medication which is best for them.

For information about current support groups and up to date changes to meeting arrangements contact :

Mental Health Information Service  1300 794 991
 

• The Ryde Bipolar Bipolar Support group (ex-Gladesville) is the longest running group of the DMDA and meets on the first Sunday of the month at Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club, 117 Ryedale Rd, West Ryde. Everyone gets a chance to talk about themselves and what has helped and afternoon tea is available for a gold coin donation.  The meeting starts at 2pm and there is a break during which you can meet other people. Speakers and movies are presented at some of the meetings. Other sites include North Sydney.
• DMDA Management and planning meeting There is a management meeting every second month to discuss issues arising from support groups, other projects of the Depressive and Mood Disorders Association and development of new groups. This group usually meets at MHA, Level 5, 80 William St, East Sydney. Contacts: Meg Smith on (W) 02 9772 9299 or email m.smith@uws.edu.au
• Depression and Anxiety Self Help Support Group for sufferers and their families and friends is now a closed group.

 

Other support groups for people with mental health issues:

• Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill ph. 9332 0700. ARAFMI runs a number of support groups for relatives and friends of people who have mental illness and has a 24 hr phone line staffed by volunteers.

Victoria

• ARAFMI can be contacted on 03 9889 3733 during office hours. They run the following Bipolar mutual support groups: Camberwell Bipolar Support Group ph. 889 1777 meets at Suite 1, 1091 Toorak Rd Camberwell; Geelong Mood Support Group 284 LaTrobe Tce., Newtown , VIC 3216 ph 03 5222 5999.
• Soft Pathway have depression and anxiety support groups in Bentleigh East and Brighton. If you wish to know more or join a group, contact Healther on 03 9551 3167 or via mobile on 0413 523 058. The groups are facilitated by trained volunteers experienced in depression and anxiety and there is no charge.

South Australia

• Mood Disorders Association 1 Richmond Rd Keswick Sa 5035 PO Box 310 Marleston SA 5033 Ph.: 08 8221 5170. Publishes newsletter Insight and has a web page on the internet: www.ozemail.com.au/~gentl

Western Australia

• Even Keel Bipolar Support Association PO Box 1584 Midland WA 6936 Ph.: 08 9274 2848 Shares an office with MINDS and has a resource centre . at 3 Viveash RD Midland WA 6056. Meetings at Mt Helena, Qairading, Fremantle, Perth City and Midland.

New Zealand

• Otago Mental Health Support Trust (Bipolar Network). 3rd Floor Queens Building, 109 Princes St, Dunedin. Phone 03 477 2598, Fax 03 4767 6749, email otagomd@es.co.nz (Bipolar Network), website:  http://www.bipolarotago.balance.org.nz/
• Barbara and Jenny ph.: 4740-999 ext 7033; Christchurch Manic Depressive Society Inc PO Box 25.068 Christchurch Nelson support group Secretary 3583 442

United States

• National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association 730 North Franklin St Suite 501 Chicago Illinois. 60610-3526 Ph 312 642 0049 fax 312 642 7243. Has a mail order bookshop with wide range of books, videos about depression and manic depressive illness.