Support Groups & ARCVic Branches
For people and families living with - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, Trichotillomania, Body Dysmorphic Disorder & related Stress and Depression.
ARCVic 'Creed' for Support Groups
We are a group of people with a common bond,
sharing our troubles, experiences, understanding, strength and wisdom.
We listen, explore options, and express our feelings.
We do not prescribe, diagnose, or give advice ... we suggest.
We are accepting and non-judgemental to group members.
We know what we share is confidential and that we have the right to remain anonymous if we choose.
We have the right to take part in any discussion or not.
We each have the right and opportunity to equal talking time and the right to remain silent.
It is important that we actively listen when someone is talking and avoid having side conversations.
We encourage "I" statements, so that everyone speaks in the first person.
We each share the responsibility for making the group work.
Having benefited from the help of others, we recognise the need for offering our help to others in the support group.
See Information & Guidelines for attending ARCVic Support Groups
Branches & Support Groups
Inner East (Hawthorn)
Support Group venue: The Peppercorn Centre - 584 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.
Time: 7.30pm, first & third Thursday each month. Enquiries: ARCVic - 03 9886 9233.
Melway Map 45 11D - see map
South East (Bentleigh)
Support Group venue: Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Service, Gardeners Road (Cnr Centre Road), East Bentleigh.
Time: 7.30pm, second Monday each month*. Enquiries: ARCVic - 03 9886 9233.
(* except on Public Holidays - the support group meeting is rescheduled for the following Tuesday evening)
Melway Map 77 K1 - see map
Moonee Valley (Ascot Vale)
Support Group venue: Ascot Vale Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr Union Road & Munro Street, Ascot Vale.
Time: 7.30pm, fourth Thursday each month. Enquiries: ARCVic - 03 9886 9233.
Melway Map 28 G10 - see map
Wodonga
Support Group venue: Trudewind Rd Neighbourhood House, Quirk Court, Wodonga.
Time: 7.30pm, fourth Tuesday each month. Enquiries: ARCVic - 03 9886 9233.
La Trobe Valley
Support Group currently in recess. Enquiries: ARCVic - 03 9886 9233.
Carer & Family OCD Support Group
Currently taking expressions of interest for this Support Group. Enquiries call Jessica at ARCVic - 03 9886 9233.
For information, support or counselling please contact the OCD & Anxiety HelpLine - 03 9886 9377.
A guidelines and information booklet about ARCVic's Support Groups - 'Attending Support Groups - What You Need
to Know', can be obtained from the helpline.
Support Group Statistics - 2006
Nine Support Groups held a total of 134 meetings through the year (13 support group meetings were run each month).
The total number of attendances at the groups was 1441.
Group attendances included 1135 people with anxiety disorders and 329 carers and family members.
The gender of group participants was 858 male and 583 female.
Support Group and Branch Reports 2006
Support Group Statistics - 2005
Nine Support Groups held a total of 155 meetings through the year (14 support group meetings were run each month).
The total number of attendances at the groups was 1606.
Group attendances included 1280 people with anxiety disorders (79%), 300 carers and family members (19%), and 39 students and professionals (2%).
Two hundred and twenty one people attended a group for the first time at some time during the year (14%).
The gender of group participants was 899 male (56%) and 707 female (44%).
Support Group and Branch Reports 2005
Support Group Statistics - 2004
Eleven Support Groups held a total of 192 meetings through the year (16 support group meetings were run each month).
The total number of attendances at the groups was 2054.
Group attendances included 1731 people with anxiety disorders (84%), 304 carers and family members (15%), and 19 students and professionals (1%). 325 people attended a group for the first time at some time during the year (18%). The gender of group participants was 1159 male (56%) and 895 female (44%).
Support Group and Branch Reports 2004