About ARCVic
Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic)
ARCVic is a specialist, state-wide community support organisation, providing support, recovery, early intervention and educational services to people and families living with anxiety disorders. Education, training and consultation services are provided to primary care and mental health professionals and agencies. ARCVic is a charitable, independent, non-profit organisation, funded by the Department of Human Services Victoria, and supported by membership, donations and sponsorships.
ARCVic is the business and promotional name of the Obsessive Compulsive & Anxiety Disorders Foundation Victoria Inc. (OCADF Vic). The OCADF Vic was established in 1987 (see ARCVic History).
Mission
To foster the emotional, mental and social well-being of people living with anxiety disorders.
To empower people with support, knowledge and skills that will build resilience and recovery, and reduce the impact of anxiety disorders on people's lives.
Services
ARCVic specialises in support, information, educational and recovery services for people and families affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), OCD spectrum disorders including trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia, generalised anxiety disorder, specific phobias, stress disorders, and childhood specific anxiety problems such as separation anxiety and school refusal. ARCVic has extensive specialist expertise in the area of OCD, and also has an important secondary focus in a range of related mental health disorders such as depression, trauma related stress. Learn more about ARCVic's services.
ARCVic services are for people with anxiety disorders of all ages, carers and families, the community, professionals and service provider organisations.
| Service | Use over 12 months |
|---|---|
| Telephone counselling helpline | Contacts: 6985 |
| Support and Information Emails | 1104 |
| Face to Face Support | 194 |
| Support groups | Number of Groups: 10 Attendances: 2054 Meetings per annum: 192 |
| Community seminars | Contacts: 631 Seminars: 20 |
| Pen Pals | New contacts: 14 |
| Recovery programs | Programs: 5 Participants: 37 |
| Family and Carer Program | Programs: 2 Attendances: 20 |
| Social group | Events: 11 Attendances: 120 |
| Information kits mailed out | 6584 |
| Volunteers | Number of volunteers: 53 Volunteer Hours: 5928 (Equivalent to 3.0 EFT) |
Management & Networks
ARCVic is an Incorporated Association, managed by a Committee of Management and professional staff. ARCVic's Committee of Management includes people with anxiety disorders, carers and professionals who are members of the organisation. The Committee of Management and Executive Committee meet monthly, and most of the Committee members are also actively involved with ARCVic's services and activities. ARCVic's work is made possible through the participation in service delivery of many volunteers, supporters and friends of the organisation. The Committee members, staff and volunteers are a committed and hard working team who all give of their time and talents, well beyond the call of duty. The team has a strong spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, and dedication to the cause of making a positive difference in the lives of people affected by anxiety disorders. See Annual Management Reports: 2004 Management Report; 2005 Management Report.
ARCVic is a member of The Network for Carers of People with a Mental Illness - www.carersnetwork.org, VICSERV - Psychiatric Disability Support and Rehabilitation Services - www.vicserv.org.au, and the VICSERV Mutual Support and Self Help Network. ARCVic has a close working relationship with the Psychology Clinic at the University of Melbourne and maintains strong links with many other university departments and agencies specialising in the area of anxiety disorders, and clinics in private and public hospitals, and in community health and mental health services. Many mental health professionals are actively involved in ARCVic's work and services, and collaborate in various research projects and educational activities. ARCVic also maintains associations with other anxiety disorders organisations that operate interstate and overseas.
Vision
To ensure that all Victorians living with anxiety disorders have access to high quality community support and self-help services.
To establish ARCVic as a centre of expertise, with adequate funding, resources and staff, which:
- provides essential support, recovery, education and advocacy services to people and families living with anxiety disorders;
- auspices and resources a state-wide network of community support and advocacy groups linked to locally-based health services;
- develops and evaluates recovery, early intervention and preventative programs which can be incorporated into existing primary health care, educational and welfare services;
- provides consultation, training and education to primary health care, mental health and other professionals and services concerned with helping or caring for people living with anxiety disorders.
Principles underlying ARCVic practice
ARCVic is committed to providing services which:
- uphold and protect the rights of people with anxiety disorders and promote attitudes towards them of dignity and respect;
- are creative, flexible, reflect diversity of needs, and promote choice for service users;
- promote maximum access for people with anxiety disorders, or at risk of developing anxiety disorders, through locally-based or outreach services;
- include adequate quality assurance mechanisms including training, supervision and support for staff and volunteers;
- are monitored, evaluated and accountable according to accepted standards and guidelines, and relevant evidence-based research and outcome measures;
- are linked effectively with local community and primary health care services and relevant academic, research and clinical mental health services;
- enable consumer and carer involvement in the development, management, delivery and evaluation of support services;
- advance the knowledge and skills of professionals and services in the area of anxiety disorders.
Philosophy
ARCVic is based on the philosophy that people with direct experience of a mental health disorder have strengths, knowledge and insight that can contribute to their quality of life and recovery when fostered in a supportive environment, and is of value to others with similar conditions. Support and self help alleviates feelings and experiences of disconnection and difference, validates their experiences, and offers knowledge and understanding that promotes hope and recovery. Partnerships between professionals and consumers, and support and clinical services, will ensure that the experience and knowledge of people with anxiety disorders will be valued and heeded, and contribute to the development of appropriate and effective services. See the full ARCVic Philosophy document.