Beyondblue www.beyondblue.org.au
Info line: 1300 22 4636
Mailing address: PO Box 6100, Hawthorn West, VIC 3122.
Beyondblue is dedicated to improving understanding and acceptance of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and postnatal depression. You can access free helpful information on these disorders and their treatment in the form of easy to comprehend online or hardcopy pamphlets. The site also has symptom checklists, advice on how to find a GP or psychologist in your area and a directory of mental health internet services.
BlueVoices is the consumer and carer reference group for beyondblue. They offer a selection of e-groups for people with mood disorders, family members and primary support people. There is also a blueVoices representative body that provides input on national mental health policy.
Black Dog Institute www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Info line: (02) 9382 4530
Mailing address: Hospital Road, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031.
The Black Dog Institute offers specialist mood disorders assessment, treatment and information. It contributes to research in the area and offers education programs. There is also a list of Australian support groups for consumers and carers on their website.
FyrenIyce http://members.iinet.net.au/~fractal1/findex.htm
Email: fractal@wantree.com.au
FyrenIyce offers information about diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and treatment concerns, research, resources and addresses the real life issues and concerns of people dealing with bipolar disorder. There is also an email and real time support list.
Headspace www.headspace.org.au
Ph: 03 9027 0100 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Mailing address: PO Box 473, North Melbourne, Vic 3051
Email: info@headspace.org.au
Headspace offers support, information and health services for young people (age 12-25) with mental health problems and their families at 30 centres throughout Australia.
HealthInsite www.healthinsite.gov.au
Ph: (02) 6289 8488 (Mon – Fri business hours).
This is an Australian Government initiative that offers quality information about health conditions including bipolar disorder and depression. The content of information is carefully assessed for inclusion on the website. They aim to provide the public with ‘reliable, up-to-date information’.
Mental Health Foundation of Australia (MHFA in Victoria) www.mhfa.org.au
Ph: (03) 9427 0406
Address: 270 Church Street, Richmond, Vic, 3121.
MHFA raises funds for projects that will benefit people with mental health problems and their family and friends. They offer mood support groups that include both people with bipolar disorder and their family members. One of their projects is ‘Look to the future’, which was developed in conjunction with young people (up to age 24) and aims to enhance the positive mental health of children and youth.
Mental Health Foundation (MHF in ACT) www.mhf.org.au
Ph: (02) 6282 6658 If you need urgent help contact the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team on 1800 629 354 (24hrs) or 02 6205 1065
Mailing address: Mental Health Foundation (ACT) PO Box 78 Woden ACT 2606.
The Mental Health Foundation is a professional not-for-profit, community organisation. They offer information, peer support, a referral service, support on leaving hospital, a residential long stay program and skill development courses. MHF Canberra also offers a respite service for carers.
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) www.mifa.org.au
Email: mifa@ozemail.com.au
Telephone: 08 8272 1018 Fax: 08 8278 4199
National helpline 1800 985 944 for help finding support and information
MIFA is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation aimed at supporting and advocating for people with serious mental illnesses and their families. It has member organisations in most Australia states that offer education and services to enhance the quality of life of people affected by mental illness and those who care for them. Apart from numerous information resources, they offer supportive, rehabilitation and recovery based programs. To find the programs available in your area log onto this central MIFA website.
The WellWays program is a carer led group program developed by MIFA that provides information on mental illness, helpful ways to cope and ways carers can take care of themselves. Besides the usual Wellways program, there are also programs specifically for carers of people with dual diagnosis (mental illness and alcohol or drug problems) and for carers in rural and remote areas.
Mind www.rfv.org.au
Central Office: Ph: 03 9455 7900,
Email: info@mindaustralia.org.au,
Mailing address: 86-92 Mount Street. Heidelberg VIC 3084
Southern Australia Office: Ph: 08 8368 7800,
Email: reception-sa@mindaustralia.org.au,
Mailing address: 19 Glynburn Road Glynde SA 5070
Mind encourages people to accept their mental illness and find individual solutions to living well with their condition. They offer a large range of programs including residential rehabilitation and transition to independent living and secure accommodation, respite for carers, volunteer and mentor programs, individual service programs and creative expression and employment programs.
Moodswings www.moodswings.net.au
This is a comprehensive online self help based program for people with bipolar disorder, which is currently being researched to test its effectiveness.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA)
www.dhi.gov.au/Multicultural-Mental-Health-Australia
MMHA is funded by the Australian Government to promote mental health and prevent suicide amongst culturally and linguistically diverse groups (CALD) in Australia. They focus on providing information for carers and consumers about mental health issues, navigating the mental health system, personal stories and articles and resources. Information and factsheets about mental illness and ways to deal with it are available in over 20 different languages. There are also reference groups and self-help groups for carers and the same for consumers. Carers and consumers also have the option of joining the speakers bureau which involves giving talks about your personal experience to help educate people about mental illness. Consumer Advisory Groups enable consumers to help plan mental health services and policy.
SANE Australia www.sane.org
Helpline: 1800 18 SANE (9am-5pm and messages can be left after hours)
Email: info@sane.org
Mailing address: PO Box 226, South Melbourne, VIC 3205.
SANE offers helpful information and support for people with bipolar disorder, family and friends. They also focus on improving the overall health of people with mental illness. SANE campaigns for better services and attitudes towards people with mental illness. They will try to answer any questions you have about mental illness on their online helpline. There is also support with preventing suicide and guidelines for those who have lost a loved one.
Siblings Australia Inc www.siblingsaustralia.org.au
Email: info@siblingsaustralia.org.au
Ph: 08 83571214, Fax: 08 8357 1216
Address: 23A King William Road?Unley, SA 5061
This national organisation aims to enhance the wellbeing of siblings of adults and children with a mental illness, disability or chronic physical illness. They provide information, workshops and networking opportunities.
