Mental Illness
If you are concerned about yourself or someone who may have a mental illness, contact the 24 hour Mental Health Access Line on 1300 369 968.
You may also find it helpful to visit our Mental Health Website.
ARAFMI (Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill)
The State office can give you information about support people who can deal with enquiries from familles and friends on a range of mental illnesses by telephone. Call (02) 9887 5897. Currently there is one group in tweed heads and one at Grafton.
Grafton: To find out about the Grafton group please call
Lee Hall after 5pm on (02) 6642 6292,or Helen on (02) 6643 3796
Tweed Valley Mental Health Carers Network (a branch of ARAFMI NSW)
phone (07) 5506 7336
ARAFMI has a State Website which has an extensive links page providing information about a wide range of disorders, medications, coping strategies and much more.
They link to an information page about disorders which covers, Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Attention Deficit, Panic, Phobias, Dissassociative Disorders, Schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress and more.
GROW
PO Box 1232, Lismore
15 Molesworth Street, Lismore, 2480
Ph: (02) 6621 3737 Lismore
Confidential, anonymous, non denominational 12 Step program for mental illness recovery and personal growth, mutual phone support, individual groups in different towns. Contact Lismore number for information about other groupsat Byron Bay, Grafton, Yamba, Tweed Heads, Kyogle - phone Lismore for details.
State and National Support Organizations
There are a number of state and national support groups for people with Mental Illness, their carers, families, partners and friends. Here are links to some National Organizations which can help with news and information about Mental Health issues.
Beyond Blue
The national depression initiative, a very informative website about depression.
www.beyondblue.org.au
Depressionnet
Information, help, and support for people who have depression or are depressed.
www.depressionet.com.au
Mental Health Council of Australia
www.mhca.com.au
Mental Health Association NSW Inc.
Mental Health Information Service,Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm (closed Wednesdays 9am -11am)
Rural: 1800 674 200
www.mentalhealth.asn.au
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Information Australia
Black Dog Institute is an educational, research and clinical facility offering
specialist expertise in mood disorders.
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW - Runs support groups across rural and metropolitan for everyone: people with a mental illness, relatives, friends, partners, health professionals and interested members of the public. While the organisation's name is the Schizophrenia Fellowship, they provide services and support for everyone with a mental illness.
Serenity NSW
Provides a network of self-help support groups for anxiety disorders and mild depression.
GROW NSW
Support groups based on a 12-step self-help program for people suffering anxiety, depression or other mental or emotional distress.
ARAFMI NSW
Provides support groups for carers, family and friends of the mentally ill.
Carers NSW
Provides information, referrals, advice and support for carers.
Mental Health Association NSW Inc. Mental Health Information Service
Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm (closed Wednesdays 9am -11am)
Rural: 1800 674 200