Self-help, support and skills for recovery

ARCVic History

In Brief - Timeline

In 1987 the organisation commenced as the first OCD Support Group in Victoria, and was incorporated in 1992 as the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation of Victoria. In 1995, the organisation extended its services to all the anxiety disorders, and changed its name to the Obsessive Compulsive and Anxiety Disorders Foundation of Victoria (OCADF). In 1996, the OCADF was recognised by the State Government as the peak organisation in Victoria providing support services to people and families living with anxiety disorders and granted recurrent funding as a Mutual Support & Self Help program within the Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services sector. In 1999, the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic) was registered as OCADF's business and promotional name. In 2003 the OCADF moved to its own independent premises in the eastern region of metropolitan Melbourne and set up the central premises of the Anxiety Recovery Centre.

The History

This is just the 'bare bones' of the story of ARCVic's history and growth since 1987. The History will be updated from time to time as information about ARCVic's past is gathered from the archives, Newsletters and Committee minutes. We would welcome any contributions from past Committee members, volunteers and members who would like to add a personal perspective to the History, or share a story about a particular event - send to arcmail@arcvic.com.au.

We are keen to include the names of all the people who were part of ARCVic's history - Committee of Management members, volunteers, friends and supporters, as all deserve full recognition for their extraordinary work in establishing this organisation, but we need to contact everyone individually to obtain permission to publish the names, so this will also take some time before everyone is acknowledged. At this stage, no names are included, apart from professionals and staff, and current Committee members and volunteers who have given permission for their names to be included.

Eighteen years ago a group of people with obsessive compulsive disorder and carers met in the kitchen of one of their homes and formed the first OCD support group in Victoria. Each one of those people had been suffering alone with their disorder for many years, and as they shared their stories with each other - stories filled with struggle and fear, and vain attempts to find support, information and treatment, it became clear to them just how important a self-help and support group would be in helping the thousands of other people in Victoria who were living with this disorder. They knew from years of experience that isolation, and alienation from others was a big part of their suffering, and that by joining together they were no longer alone, and could share experiences, ideas, feelings, information, strategies and hope that would help each one and each other. With the assistance of the Executive Officer of the South Australian OCD Support Group and members of the Mental Health Foundation, these people established their group and a Committee, and began the process of setting up a telephone helpline and a newsletter so that they could reach out and support other individuals and families affected by OCD.

There are many people who contributed to the growth of the support group and the organisation in those early years - with very few resources, just strong dedication and belief in their mission to help fellow sufferers and carers. In just three years they had set up two support groups, a newsletter, a telephone answering service, regular educational seminars, and were actively involved in lobbying for funding, networking with professionals and promoting the Group.

A brief overview of the most important achievements of the organisation's development over the next 18 years follows. Each year presented new challenges - organising national conferences, developing new support and educational services, transforming the Support Group into an independent and incorporated Foundation, extending our mandate to include all the anxiety disorders, organising national conferences, developing networks and partnerships with other organisations and professionals, lobbying for funding and so on.

ARCVic Highlights and Achievements: 1987 - 2005

During the next several years the OCADF further developed and extended its services, including recovery programs, a pen pal network, family and carer programs, early intervention programs and a more extensive community education calendar. In 1999 the OCADF took on a new business and promotional name and became known as the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic). Some time and energy was put into building partnerships and networks within the mental health sector.

We can indeed be proud of what we achieved, especially considering our limited financial resources. Throughout the organisation's development, it has remained strongly grounded in principles of self-help, community and empowerment, and continues to be run and managed by people with anxiety disorders and carers. This shared purpose - of the Committee Members, volunteers and staff has been, and is, an exceptionally strong bond that inspires us to work together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual support and respect, and directs our efforts always to maintaining and improving our services, rather than becoming enmeshed in the politics of the field in which we operate or disillusioned by the continued poor availability of specialised treatment services for anxiety disorders in the public mental health system.

Since that first support group meeting, more than 3000 support group meetings have been held in Victoria, there have been over 100,000 contacts and service use, and over 50,000 information kits have been mailed out.

The vision that the first members had of a dynamic and growing support network that would extend throughout Victoria has been achieved - and continues to grow. It has been particularly exciting to see several of the support groups around Victoria becoming a dynamic part of their local communities - making important connections with mental health centres, community organisations, general practitioners and local businesses, and thereby promoting awareness of anxiety disorders and the needs of affected individuals and their families.

ARCVic has developed primarily through the hard work and commitment of the Committee of Management members and the many people who have volunteered their time and talents to assist ARCVic. We are most grateful to everyone who has been a part of our team, for supporting this important service with their extensive experience, skills and knowledge.

And to all our members and service users, we thank you for your involvement in our work, for sharing your experiences, ideas and views, and for supporting and caring for each other. Our hope is that each year will bring new hope of greater opportunities for recovery, for each person with an anxiety disorder, and that ARCVic will continue to be a dynamic self-help and support network which actively works towards fostering and fulfilling this hope.

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