The Mental Health Association NSW runs monthly support groups for people with generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic attacks / disorder, agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  Family and friends of people with an anxiety disorder are also welcome to attend.

What happens? 

Monthly meetings usually last between 1-2 hours and are led by a trained, volunteer group leader. Group leaders usually have a background in psychology or welfare, or a personal experience of recovery from an anxiety disorder or 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. Group members may also suggest guest speakers.

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.

"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 

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  

Blue Haven - new group - starts on 3 June 2012
Day: 1st Sunday of each month  
Time: 10:00am
Location: Blue Haven Community Centre, Colorado Drive, Blue Haven
Group Leaders: Jennifer, Grant 

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 

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

Chatswood 
Day: 1st Monday of each month
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Dougherty Community Centre, 7 Victor St, Chatswood
Group Leaders: Joyce, Danielle  

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

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

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   

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

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

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

Parramatta
Day: Last Saturday of each month 
Time: 3:00pm 
Location: Parramatta RSL, Cnr Macquarie & O’Connell Sts, Parramatta
Group Leaders: Jasmine

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

* Please note that these groups are not suitable for people with a diagnoses of PTSD or Schizophrenia.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Groups 

Blacktown
Day: Last Saturday of each month
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.

Do you want to establish and facilitate your own support group?

Phone Linda or Julie on (02) 9339 6000 

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it