Helplines
Respite/ Support
ARAFEMI Peak body to support Relatives And Friends of
People with Mental Illness
Carer helpline: 1300 550 265
ACSO
(03) 9413 7000 or 9413 7069
Restore Program
Families & carers of people with co-occurring mental
illness and substance abuse issues who have had
contact with the criminal justice system
Carers Victoria
Carer Advisory Line:
1800 242 636 (free call except from mobile phones)
www.carersvic.org.au
Commonwealth Carer Respite and Carelink Centres
Free call :
1800 052 222
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria
Family Services Coordinator
(03) 9680 1611
Family Drug Help
1300 660 068
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria
Helpline Phone:
(03) 8486 4222
Lifeline
Suicide Line
Kids Help Line
Kids who Care Foundation
(03) 9347 2655
Supporting young people who carer for their parents or siblings.
Flemington.
www.kidswhocare.org.au
131114
1300 651 251
1800 55 1800
Counseling
Anglicare
www.anglicarevic.org.au
Bouverie Centre –Victoria Family Institute
(03) 9385 5100
Carers Victoria
1800 242 636
CatholicCare Family Services
(03) 9689 3888
3 Wingfield St. Footscray
Doutta Galla Community Health Services
(03) 93760523
ISIS Primary Care Community Health
St Albans (03 )9296 1200
Hoppers Crossing (03) 8734 1400
Deer Park (03) 9219 7142
Melton Young Carers Group program 12-18yo who have a
parent with a mental illness. It provides fun, support and
information Wednesday 4-6 pm school terms
MacKillop Family Services (03) 9747 6337
Outlooks: Western Region Health Centre
(03) 9747 6337
Referral to family support services and carer networks
PATS (Paying Attention to Self) Brimbank
(03) 9396 9550
Eight week program for 12-18 yo who have a parent with a mental
illness. It is fun, supportive and informative
Respite Connections: Young Carers Program
Respite Connections: Mental Health Program
(03) 9396 9500 or (03) 9396 9550
Vietnamese groups in Footscray
Western Region Health Outreach Service Anh Nguyen 93628178
Mercy Mental Health
Thuy Dinh 99287444
Women’s Group carers and clients every Wed 1130am – 230 pm
One day family outing (client, carer, children) x 3 per year
Homework support group (primary / secondary) every Fri 330 -6pm
Western Respite Services:MIND
(03) 9391 0144
Information
National Carer Counselling Program
1800 242 636.
Western Region Health Service
(03) 8398 4178
Intake worker between 9:00am – 4:30pm M-F
COPMI Children of Parents with Mental Illness information
To help families understand and support children
www.copmi.net.au
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria
www.mifellowship.org.au fact sheets etc
Sane
1800 18 SANE (7263),
Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:00pm EST.
www.sane.org fact sheets etc.
Victorian Mental Health Carers Network
(03) 9396 9550
www.carersnetwork.org.au
Victorian Transcultural Psychiatric Unit
www.vtpu.org.au
Education / Training
ARAFEMI
www.arafemi.org.au
Borderline Personality Disorder Carers Support
Bouverie Centre (03) 9385 5100
Carers Victoria
www.carersvic.org
GROW
1800 558 268
www.grow.net.au
“Grow-Better Together” Free ongoing peer support groups for
carers/families, meeting together to share experiences, gain
support, increase coping skills, knowledge and understanding.
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria– Well Ways, Duo, Snapshot
Family Services Coordinator
(03) 9680 1611
Advocacy
Carer advocate (ARAFEMI)
(03) 9810 9300
Office of the Public Advocate
1300 309 337
Protects the rights of Victorians with a disability.
Uniting Care Footscray
(03) 9689 3515
93 Geelong Road Footscray 3011
Practical support, counselling advocacy and community development .
Uniting Care Sunshine Mission
(03) 9311 5900
32 Withers St. Sunshine 3020
Practical support, counselling and advocacy, community
development programs. Eligibility: Health Care Card
Carer Support Groups
Brimbank Carers
(03) 93659500
Email: info@norwoodservices.org.au
Family & Friends of the Inner West AMHS & Royal Melbourne
Hospital
Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month 6.30-8pm. Nancye Kirchner
Community Centre, Doyle Street Avondale Heights.
GROW - Better Together Hoppers Crossing Group
(03) 9528 2977 or 1800 558 268
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
www.grow.net.au
Hillside Carers Support Group
Michelle Dellios
(03) 9747 6355
Meets 3rd Monday of the month,
Melton
Westgate Support Group Inc.
(03) 9397 2160 Laura
(03) 8734 1576 Helen
Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month, Altona.
Wyndham Carer Support Group
(03) 8734 1576
Get together for carers with Carer Consultant
Hoppers Crossing
Financial and other Support
Carer Support Fund
If your family member is being treated within a public mental health
service or program, you may be eligible for assistance for costs
you may have incurred as part of your caring role via the Carer
Support Fund. For further information, talk to your family member’s
case manager or carer consultant of the service.
All metropolitan hospitals employ a Carer Consultant. They
provide information referrals and support. Contact psychiatric
triage for the contact phone number.
Carer Card Information line
1800 658 521
www.carercard.vic.gov.au
Victorian Carer Card has a wide range of discounts and benefits
on offer from businesses, the local government and community
organisations. Cardholders are also entitles to free travel on public
transport on a Sunday plus two return off-peak travel vouchers
each year.
Drug and Alcohol
Western Health: Drug Health Services (previously known as
DAS- West )
(03) 8345 6649
3-7 Eleanor St Footscray
A range of services for individuals and their families
for friends, families and carer’s
in
Western Metropolitan Melbourne
Family Drug Help
Helpline:
1300660068
Josephs Corner
(03) 9315 2680
MacKillop Family Services
(03) 9680 8444
Substance Abuse Family Support Service.
Stepping up
1800 828 466
Various programs available.
Area Mental Health Services
Triage services can assist during crisis and provide contact
numbers to relevant community mental health services.
New Referrals + Crisis calls
Inner West:
1300 874 243
Midwest:
1300 874 243
North West:
1300 874 243
Southwest:
1300 657 259
Current clients / family contact your local clinic / case manager
for everyday issues.
Local Councils
Your local area council can also provide information on Carer
Support Services within the community.
Information current at April 2012
Mental Health Support Guide
“…As we begin to understand the contribution
that carers make in the process of recovery and
relapse prevention there is a need to optimise
genuine carer involvement in treatment and
care…Families and carers should be recognised,
respected and supported as partners in providing
care to the consumer.”
The Victorian Chief Psychiatrist’s Guideline, Working Together
with Families and Carers (April 2005)