Support Groups
Arafmi’s Support Groups provide a safe place for mental health carers to come together on a regular basis to share their feelings, socialise, offer comfort and support, and share helpful coping skills.
Who are the Support Groups for?
Arafmi Support Groups are for people who care for, or about, someone with mental illness/es. We warmly welcome parents, partners, relatives and friends caring for/about a loved one with mental illness. The person they care for may have a mood disorder (such as bipolar disorder and depression), anxiety disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia) and other mental illnesses.
There are other issues or disorders that affect the brain, that are not considered mental illness. Examples include autism, acquired brain injury, dementia (eg Alzheimers syndrome), Asperger’s syndrome and intellectual disabilities (like Down Syndrome).
If you’re unsure whether our support groups are relevant to you and the person you care for, please get in touch with us so we can discuss your needs.
What to expect at a Support Group?
Our Support Groups offer a supportive environment where people have the opportunity to talk about their feelings, help explore alternative ways of coping, offer support to other group members, or to simply listen and observe. Support groups are also a valuable means of informing carers of Arafmi services and resources that are available to assist their caring role.
Click here to download a copy of our Support Group Guidelines.
How do I join?
We welcome you to join any of our Support Groups listed below. You can either call ahead or simply show up. Our Support Group times/dates are subject to change, if in doubt, please contact the Arafmi office on 07 3254 1881 or for regional areas, please phone 1800 35 1881 to confirm.
Indooroopilly
Indooroopilly Library Meeting Room, Indooroopilly (View on map)
From 1:30pm First Thursday of each month
Teneriffe (Head Office)
24 Chermside Street, Teneriffe(View on map)
From 10am Last Saturday of each month
Please Note: January will take place Saturday 18th due to Australia Day long weekend.
Carindale
Carindale Library Meeting Room, Westfield Carindale (View on map)
From 11:30am First Monday each month
Cleveland
RDCOTA Cottage, Weipan Road
Cleveland (in hospital grounds) (View on map)
From 10am Fourth Monday of each month
Inala
The Hub Neighbourhood Centre
79 Poinsettia Street, Inala(View on map)
3rd Monday of each month from 10:00 am
Logan
Logan Central Library 26 Wilbur St
Logan Central (View on map)
From 10am Second Wednesday of each month
Narangba
229 Mackie Road, Narangba
(View on map)
From 10am fourth Monday of each month
Starting 24 February 2020
For Carer Support Groups in your regional area, please contact the relevant person in the information below:
Bundaberg |
|
|---|---|
| 07 4151 4605 | Dell |
Cairns |
|
| 0402 867 429 | Carmel |
Caloundra (will recommence in January 2020) |
|
| 0400 914 987 | Margaret |
Chinchilla |
|
| 07 4635 8379 | Carers Qld |
Gladstone |
|
| 07 4972 8220 | Robynne |
Gold Coast |
|
| 07 5563 8855 | Mental Illness |
Kingaroy |
|
| 07 3254 1881 | Ruth |
Gympie |
|
| 0427 735 573 | Dianne |
Mackay |
|
| 07 4951 2973 | MIF NQ |
Maleny |
|
| 07 5451 1882 | Carers Qld |
Maroochydore |
|
| 07 5451 1882 | Carers Qld |
Maryborough |
|
| 07 3254 1881 | Ruth |
Rockhampton |
|
| 07 4922 8648 | Margaret |
Toowoomba |
|
| 07 4593 0500 | Floresco Centre |
Townsville |
|
| 07 4725 3664 | MIF NQ |
Interested in Facilitating a Support Group?
If you have ever thought about facilitating a Carer Support Group, or feel there is an opportunity to start a new group in a different area, we’d love to hear from you! Download our form for more information.
