Inner South Parents and Friends: Meetings and Events

Our meetings are generally held on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm and are held at:

Betty Day Centre, 67 Argyle Street, St Kilda.  Argyle Street runs off Chapel Street. Parking is available in Bath Street, enter via Inkerman Street.

Meeting dates and guest speakers for the remainder of 2010 are:

14 September: Kirsten Cleland, Manager, Headspace, Middle South Region
12 October: Focus on expanded library and general discussion on 'what has helped'.
9 November: Dr Simon Stafrace, Director Alfred Psychiatry will provide an annual report on progress in 2010

OTHER MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 September 2010 'Mental Health First Aid Course' - a 12 hour course which teaches first aid skills for mental health crisis situations and the early stages of mental health problems. Contact Deb Smith 9525 1300, email dsmith@ischs.org.au. RSVP by 1 September. For more information see www.mhfa.com.au.

Tuesday 14 - Friday 17 September - '20th Annual TheMHS Conference: 20 years strong: and now a renaissance' - Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW. Details and registration online www.themhs.org.

Tuesday 5 October 2010 9.15am-4.30pm The 8th Annual Mini Conference 'Non-Compliance: Exercising Personal Authority or Courting Disaster' presented by the Bouverie Centre. Venue is The Bourverie Centre, 8 Gardiner Streeet, Brunswick. Cost $50 for workers, free for consumers and families. Registration essential. Enquiries to Emily Nelson on 03 9385 5100 or email bouverie.training@latrobe.edu.au.

Tuesday 19 October 2010 9.30am-12noon - North West Area Mental Health Service invites you to meet Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry, who will talk on current issues in the adult mental health arena. Venue is the Darebin Arts Centre, corner Bell Street and St Georges Road, Preston. For more information ring NWAMHS carer consultant, Jenny Burger on 9355 9741.

The Mood Disorders Support Group Seminar Program 2010
Contact 03 9427 0406 for information.

The Bouverie Centre, 8 Gardiner Street, Brunswick 3056 See www.latrobe.edu.au/bouverie for more information.

ARAFEMI Program 2010
Contact the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline on 1300 550 265 for information or visit website www.arafemi.org.au.
Family Services Education Calendar 2010
Tuesday 23 February 11am-2pm: Carer Coping Skills
Tuesday 16 March 7pm-9pm: Compassion Fatigue
Saturday 20 March 11am-2pm: Challenging Behaviours
Tuesday 20 April 7pm-9pm: Partners
Tuesday 27 April 11am-2pm: Health Boundaries & Communication
Saturday 8 May 11am-2pm: Being a Carer in the Mental Health System
Tuesday 18 May 11am-2pm: Recovery - how to support it
Tuesday 25 May 7pm-9pm: Moving Beyond Loss and Despair
Tuesday 1 June 10am-4.30pm: Sharing the Carers Experience - Carer Respite Event
Tuesday 8 June 7pm-9pm: Dual Diagnosis (combined mental health issues drugs/alcohol dependence)
Saturday 19 June 10am-1pm: Carers Coping Skills
Tuesday 3 August 7pm-9pm: Being a Carer in the Mental Health System
Saturday 14 August 11am-2pm: Challenging Behaviours
Tuesday 17 August 7pm-9pm: Future Planning
Tuesday 14 September 10am-1pm: Recovery & Hope Workshop
Saturday 9 October 10an-1pm: Recovery & Hope Workshop
Tuesday 19 October 7pm-9pm: Siblings
Tuesday 19 October "Carers Week" 9.30am-4.30pm: Relaxation & Meditation - Carer Respite Activity
Saturday 23 October 11am-2pm: Healthy Boundaries & Communication

Seminars/workshops cost: $5 and are facilitated from ARAFEMI's head office, Ground Floor 270 Auburn Road, Hawthorn. Respite activities/education cost: $10 and depart from the head office. Booking form www.arafemi.org.au/family-support/carer-education.html. For further information contact Carer Helpline 1300 550 265 or email susan.preece@arafemi.org.au.

Family Services Support Group Calendar 2010
Support Group for Families & Carers of People with a Borderline Personality Disorder: first Wednesday evening of each month 7pm-9pm
Bridging the Gaps - Southern**: first Wednesday evening of each month 7.30pm-9.30pm
Bridging the Gaps - Eastern: second Thursday evening of each month 7.30pm-9.30pm
ARAFEMI Bipolar Consumer Support Group: third Wednesday evening of each month 7.30pm-9.30pm
Bimonthly ARAFEMI Bipolar Combined Carer & Consumer Support Group: first Thursday evening of month (commences 4 February) 7.30pm-9.30pm
Alternates monthly with:
Bimonthly ARAFEMI Bipolar Carer Support Group: first Thursday evening of month (commences 4 March) 7.30pm-9.30pm
There is no cost to attend support groups. All groups, except Bridging the Gaps - Southern are facilitated from 270 Auburn Road, Hawthorn. Bridging the Gaps - Southern** is held at Family Life, 197 Bluff Road, Sandringham. For further information, please contact Carer Helpline 130 550 265 or email neha.verma@arafemi.org.au.

ARAFEMI Carer Respite Activities 2010
For information and bookings contact the Respite Team at ARAFEMI on 9810 9300.

Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Programs - June - December 2010
Well Ways - Building a Future - A Support and Information Program for Families and Friends of People with Mental Illness - Commencing Monday 4 October from 6.30pm-9.30pm in South Yarra and Tuesday 12 October from 6.30pm-9.30pm in Albert Park.

Well Ways Duo - A Support and Information Program for Families and Friends of People with Dual Diagnosis (Mental illness and Substance Use) - commencing Monday 9 August from 6.30pm-9.30pm in South Yarra.

Well Ways Snapshot - commencing Monday28 June from 6.30pm-9.30pmin South Yarra and Monday and Saturday 31 July from 9.30am-4.30pm in Albert Park.

Cost for Well Ways programs is $25.
For bookings contact the Administrator Family Services Rosemary Baker on 03 8486 4232 or wellwaysfamed@mifellowship.org.
For details of programs available in other regions ring 03 8486 4232 or visit www.mifellowship.org/services-wellways.shtml

Mental Illness Fellowship MI Respite Options offers carer retreats and day programs, consumer camps, residential and holiday respite, Social Activity Groups for those with the mental illness, in home respite one on one. For more information contact the Respite Team on 97684 6802 or email sohalloran@mifellowship.org.

Lantern (previously known as Reach Out Mental Health)
The Hearing Voices Group:   This group is open to anyone who hears voices.  If you are interested in joining the next group please call Maggie on 9585 5085 (Wednesday) or Heather on 9093 5977.
Wellbeing Series 2010
Sessions are held on the first Tuesday of the month from 7pm-9pm
1 June: 'Our Journey to Recovery'
2 July: 'Overcoming vocational problems in early mental illness (returning to school and work)
3 August: 'Understanding brain changes in schizophrenia
7 September: 'Resilience, Happiness and Optimism: everyday applications of Positive Psychology'
5 October: 'Psychosis: Understanding and Healing the Wounded Soul'
9 November: Details to be confirmed
Venue is Southern Community Church of Christ, 2-12 Chesterville Road, Cheltenham, entry via Pine Street. Gold coin donation. Register with reception on 9093 5977 or email reception@lantern.org.au.
'Managing your stress mindfully' presented by Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University.   The course runs for 6 weeks commencing 14 July from 5.30pm-6.45pm. Venue is Resource Centre, 3 Stanley Avenue, Cheltenham. Cost is $280, concession $250. Bookings on 9093 5977, email reception@lantern.org.au.

Mind - Southern Respite Services
Mind offer a variety including day trips and 4 day breaks, in home respite, and flexible respite for mental health consumers who have a carer. For information contact Southern Respite Services on 9686 4900, or Mari on 0424 141 243 or email mneil@mindaustralia.org.au.

Postal and Office Address:
Inner South Parents and Friends
C/- Waiora Clinic
Level 2, 435 Malvern Road
South Yarra VIC 3141