ADEC facilitates mental health support groups for people with mental health issues, their carers and family members in the following languages:

• Chinese
• Vietnamese
• Turkish

Mental Health brochures in the above languages are available here

The goal of these groups is to assist people from ethnic communities affected by mental illness with developing knowledge, skills and support networks that contribute to their recovery and reduction of the negative impact of mental illness.

These groups meet monthly and offer culturally appropriate information, education, peer support and recreation sessions. Members can feel comfortable to support each other and receive information in their own languages about mental health and mental health services. These groups not only help individual group members, but also have a role in reducing the stigma of mental illness within their communities.

Eligibility

The following people are invited to make use of the Mental Health Support Group:

• People diagnosed as experiencing mental illness who are under the care of a psychiatrist, general medical practitioner, or a mental health worker
• Referred people (or self-referred people) who believe that an individual will benefit from the support group
• Self-referred clients experiencing mental health issues
• People experiencing mental illness who speak the language of the particular self-help group or have poor English language skills
• People on a voluntary community treatment order (but not people on a involuntary community treatment order).

Carer support groups

ADEC also facilitates numerous language-specific groups for carers only. Information on the carers groups is available here.

Further Information

If you would like any further information about the program, please contact:

Transcultural Mental Health Access Program
Phone: (03) 9480 1666
Fax: (03) 9480 3444

Toll Free: 1800 626 078
Email: mentalhealth@adec.org.au

Click here to return to the main page of Transcultural Mental Health Access Program

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