Mental Health Self Help Support Groups
ADEC facilitates mental health support groups for people with mental health issues, their carers and family members in the following languages:
- Chinese
- Vietnamese
- Turkish
- Somali women's mental health and well being group
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
Intake
Intake of clients is centralised through the Intake Officer, who has the responsibility of screening all clients to determine suitability and appropriateness into ADEC programs in accordance with the eligibility criteria. All clients who wish to request use of ADEC programs can do so through telephone, email, in person or in writing. Potential clients can also be referred by service providers or other family members.
This service is available Monday - Friday (9 am - 5 pm). Anyone who wishes to inquire about ADEC services can contact the Intake Officer and they will be responded to within 2-3 working days.
If a person is ineligible for the service, the person is referred to another appropriate service provider.
If you would prefer to speak to us in your own language, phone us, leave your name, the language you speak, and your telephone number, and we will contact you through a telephone interpreter service.
For further information or to make a referral please contact:
Tarun Kalra
Intake Officer
Ph: (03) 9480 1666 (reception)
E: tarun@adec.org.au