ARCVic Support Group & Branch Reports 2006
Inner East Support Group
Facilitators – Penelope Poulier, Paul Read, Marnie Kok.
The Inner East Support Group meets at the Peppercorn Club next to the Hawthorn library on the first and third Thursday of each month. The group begins at 7.30pm, has a short break just before 9.00pm, and concludes around 10.00pm. Occasionally, some participants may go to a café nearby that remains open until late for a coffee and a chat. An extensive range of information on anxiety disorders in pamphlet, booklet and magazine forms is always available at each meeting, as well as details on present and future ARCVic recovery programs and social events. Attendance has ranged between 5 and 15 people for either meeting.
The group provides a safe and caring environment for the mutual support of sufferers of anxiety disorders, their carers, family and friends. People attending the group for the first time, or carers of sufferers, always have the option of taking part in a separate group if so desired. Throughout the year we have been encouraged by the continued participation of regulars and of the many newcomers whose shared experiences have provided us with insights into the diverse nature of anxiety disorders and the many different approaches to the process of recovery.
Family & Friends Support Group
This support group was convened by Bruce Hannan on the first Thursday of each month, 7.30 pm, at the Peppercorn Club in Hawthorn. The group went into recess in December 2005. The Committee of Management, staff and volunteers at ARCVic would like to thank Bruce for his support and commitment to carers of people suffering from OCD and other anxiety disorders. We are pleased to announce that a new group has recently been reconvened. The new group is a Family and Carer OCD Support Group and is located at the ARCVic premises in Ashwood.
South East Support Group
Edwin Belfield, Coordinator; Dianne Anton, Facilitator
The South East Support Group meets at the Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Centre, Gardners Road, East Bentleigh on the second Monday of each month, except on public holidays when the meeting is held on the Tuesday night. The meeting starts at 7.30 pm till 9.30 pm when we break for coffee and chat.
Our group provides a confidential and supportive place for sufferers and carers to talk about their problems, learn skills to help their recovery – such as different relaxation methods, basic cognitive behavioural therapy, building their confidence and self-esteem, networking with other sufferers and carers etc. We have an average attendance of about 15 people each month.
On a sad note our facilitator Dianne Anton, Psychologist, who has been with us for the past 4 years is leaving this month. Dianne has started her own Psychology Practice and will be sadly missed by all at Bentleigh. We had a presentation for Dianne this month to thank her for all the many hours of dedicated help and caring she brought to the group. We all wish Dianne every success for the future. Another busy year has almost ended, so from the group we wish everyone a very happy Christmas.
Moonee Valley Support Group
Nina Cook, Coordinator/Facilitator
The Moonee Valley Anxiety and Depression support group meets at 7.30 pm on the 4th Thursday of each month, at the Ascot Vale Neighbourhood Centre on the corner of Munro Street and Union Road, Ascot Vale. Our thanks and appreciation to Diana Maud who facilitated the group in 2005, and to Nina Cook who has taken over running the group in 2006.
Emerald Support Group
Dianne Legge, Coordinator
Emerald Anxiety Disorders Support Group held regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays each month until December 2005. This group is currently closed. The Committee of Management, staff and volunteers at ARCVic would like to thank Dianne and Graham Legge for the caring support they provided to people who attended the Emerald Group, and for their commitment to running the group over the past few years.
Albury-Wodonga Support Group
Wendy Malcolm, Coordinator
Our group meets every second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7.30pm at a local neighbourhood house named Trudewind Road. We usually start off with an informal ‘cuppa’ after which we begin the meeting by welcoming any new people and any guest speakers. We try to have guests on the second meeting of the month, so that the other meeting can be kept for caring and sharing. Many people have said by attending the group they feel accepted, understood and valued for who they are. After the meeting is closed, we have a parting cuppa and supper. Much valuable informal discussion usually happens at this time. Our numbers for the year have averaged 7 people per meeting. Winter seems to keep people indoors.
Albury Wodonga is in desperate need of trained psychiatrists. We lost one to Melbourne, another to Queensland and one has retired. This means we have only ONE psychiatrist in Albury to attend to the needs of more that 90,000 people.
Guests and events during the year included:
February - Ms Carolyn Tozer gave us information and answered questions on Wodonga Regional Adult Mental Health Service.
March – I gave two talks at Charles Sturt University to two classes of Occupational Therapy students about anxiety and the road to recovery.
April – I visited the Corryong district to attend a Mental Health Support Dinner where I talked with Ms Kate Wheeler about anxiety and depression and its effects on those in country areas.
May – I did a brief news item on Win TV News about anxiety and depression.
Senator Lyn Allison came to Wodonga to report on progress of the Select Senate Committee on Mental Health. She was very forthcoming and gave hope for future change. Mr Peter Collicoat from the Wodonga Regional Health Service attended the group and talked on a wide range of subjects.
June – We are working to establish an on-line support group for our Anxiety and Depression Support Group in Albury Wodonga, through Trudewind Road Neighbourhood House who are a funded by Vicnet to assist in helping set up community groups. Still doing training – watch this space!
August – I attended Wangaratta for the launch of two web sites, one for The Integrated Primary Mental Health Service, the other for Dual Diagnosis.
November – During this month we will have Dr Penny Egan-Vine talk to us on a subject still to be decided. Along with her will be a medical student (Rachelle) who is interested in mental health and has asked to come along to a meeting and learn from real people. She is also doing research into services for mental illness in rural areas.
December – We will be having our traditional picnic/barbeque for end of year.
I would like to thank the members for attending and the guest speakers who came during the year to talk to us.
Latrobe Valley Support Group
Catherine Ashford, Coordinator; Pearl Baker, Facilitator
The Moe-Narracan anxiety support group is held at the Latrobe Valley Community Health Service in Moe. Group meetings run for 2 hours on a Monday morning once a fortnight, with, on average, six people in attendance. During each group session, individuals are able to share their personal experiences of living with an anxiety disorder, and support each other by sharing helpful ideas to improve their coping abilities. Group facilitators and other members provide information on local and metropolitan programs, services, and resources available to group members. The group continues to maintain a library of resources for members to access.
Social Anxiety Support Group
Jessica Bernales, Coordinator; Fiona Cuthbert, Facilitator
The Social Anxiety Support Group meetings were held on the last Monday monthly at 7.30pm, in the Community Meeting Room at Ashburton Library. Since 1996 the Support Group has provided people living with Social Anxiety Disorder, their family and friends a safe and confidential setting to meet with others who share similar experiences. The support group has been in recess since January 2006 following the final meeting for 2005 in November. The Committee of Management greatly appreciates the committed support and facilitation of the group by Jessica Bernales and Fiona Cuthbert over the past several years.
Networks
Pen Pals Support Network & Parents Support Network
Facilitated by Jessica Bernales & Kathryn I’Anson
The Pen Pals Support Network has received many expressions of interest for letter, email or telephone links to be arranged between interested people of similar ages and with similar concerns from around Australia. Fourteen pen, email or phone pal requests have featured in ARCVic Newsletters over the 2005- 2006 period with many receiving replies from interested people. The Pen Pals Support Network continues to provide valuable links between young people, people who live in rural areas, and people who are isolated or housebound. The Parents Support Network facilitates links between parents of young people with OCD and other anxiety disorders.