The Mental Health Association NSW runs a more than a dozen support groups for people with anxiety disorders, social phobia, panic attacks, agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  

What happens? 

Monthly meetings usually last between one and two hours and are led by a trained, volunteer group leader. Group leaders have either a human services background or personal experience of a disorder/illness.

Our support groups are free-of-charge and there is no need to book attendance - simply turn up on the day.  

The groups usually comprise a small number of people who come together to share personal experiences and information in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.

Participants often form a bond based on the commonality of their day-to-day experiences. They learn from each other, experience relief, have fun, and become inspired by each others' journeys. Often there are people present who have recovered from their illness/disorder, who choose to attend to provide support to others.

 Guest speakers may also attend a support group upon request of the local group.

"I date my recovery from OCD from the day I first attended a support group. There I found people who understood exactly what I was going through, because they were going through it, too—or had been through it, and come out the other side."  

Anxiety Support Groups 

Glebe
Day: 1st Saturday of each month from Nov 2011
Time: 3:00pm
Location: St Helen’s Community Centre, 184 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
Group Leaders: Mark

East Sydney
Day: 3rd Wednesday of each month
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Level 5, 80 William Street, East Sydney
Group Leaders: Linda

Bondi Junction
Day: 1st Thursday of each month
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Mill Hill Centre, 31-33 Spring St, Bondi Junction
Group Leaders: Linda, Daniel, Simon

Bankstown
Day: 1st Saturday of each month
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Ground Floor Meeting Room, 62 ‘The Mall’, Bankstown Library, Bankstown
Group Leaders: Sarah, Laeonie

Sutherland
Day: 3rd Saturday of each month
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Sutherland United Services Club, 7 East Pde, Sutherland
Group Leaders: John, Laeonie

Parramatta
Day: Last Saturday of each month - There will be no group in Dec 2011
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Parramatta RSL, Cnr Macquarie & O’Connell Sts, Parramatta
Group Leaders: Linda, Jasmine

Macarthur
Day: 2nd Wednesday of each month
Time: 4:00pm
Location: Lifeline Macarthur Office, 13 McPherson Rd, Smeaton Grange
Group Leaders: Claudia, Tonia-Marie

Gordon
Day: 3rd Thursday of each month
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Ku-ring-Gai Library, Meeting Room, 799 Pacific Highway, Gordon
Group Leaders: Debbie

Epping
Day: 1st Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Epping Community Centre, 9 Oxford Street, Epping
Group Leaders: Anthony, Agnes

Tuggerah / Mardi
Day: 2nd Monday of each month
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Woodbury Park Community Centre, Woolmers Crescent, Mardi
Group Leaders: Jennifer, Grant

Gosford / Niagara
Day: 3rd Saturday of each month
Time: 9:00am
Location: Niagara Park Community Centre, Shop 21, Washington Ave, Niagara Park
Group Leaders: Maree, Christie

Jesmond (Newcastle)
Day: 1st Wednesday of each month
Time: 4:30pm
Location: Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre, 44 Mordue Pde, Jesmond
Group Leaders: Jacqueline

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Groups 

Blacktown
Day: Last Saturday of each month - There will be no group in December 2011
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Blacktown RSL,Second Ave,Blacktown
Group Leaders: Kathleen, Frances, Trish

Kogarah (old Rockdale)
Day: 2nd Saturday of each month
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Kogarah Town Square Library,The Activity Room, Belgrave St, Kogarah
Group Leaders: Julie

Parking Kogarah:  A parking station is located in Derby Street, Kogarah (Derby St is off Railway Parade). Once parked get the lift to the 2nd level and When the doors open turn to the right and the Library will be in front of you (in the Mall)
From Kogarah Station: It is apporx. A 3-4 minute walk from the station. Walk down Railway Parade then turn left into Belgrave Street, approx. half way up the street (opposite the Greek Orthodox Church) there is a Mall and the Library is at the end of the Mall.

Wish to run your own support group?

Are you interested in either facilitating or establishing a Support Group for Anxiety Disorders? We encourage you to contact Linda or Julie on 1300 794 992.