An ongoing supportive group for those with family or friends affected by mental illness.

Growing up around or having experience of a loved one with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, psychosis or bipolar disorder, often means the focus and attention goes to them. For those left dealing with the grief, anger and feelings of isolation, there is little left over.

Family members can become relentlessly resourceful and highly functioning, avoiding shame at all costs and finding it hard to show or express vulnerability. Others withdraw doing their best to be invisible in the world. Either way, we become accustomed to keeping our own needs to a minimum, often with an unspoken fear of when will it be me?

This is an opportunity to tell our stories, share experiences and knowledge, connect with others and discover resources available within us.

We will look at how to prioritise our own issues and develop self-care techniques for life as well as in crisis, how we create and maintain boundaries and feel more solid in how we talk about our experience.

If you are interested in joining, or would like further information, please call or email.

Spaces are limited to five participants. The group meets fortnightly on Saturday afternoons. An initial commitment of two terms is required.