Condition-specific information

An informed patient and carer will make better decisions and will develop a more effective partnership with the psychiatrist. A balance between the information the psychiatrist provides to the patient/carer and the information that a patient/carer finds through their own research should be achieved.

Resources and support groups

The list of resources and support groups below has been divided into sub-groups:

-       helplines

-       anxiety disorders

-       affective mood disorders

-       psychotic disorders

-       substance use disorders

-       eating disorders

There is repetition in the list as some resources are applicable across a number of groups. The lists are also available as PDF attachments that can be downloaded and printed for personal, patient and carer use.

Helpline Contact Numbers 4.3.pdf, Anxiety Disorder Agencies 4.3.pdf, Affective Mood Disorder Agencies 4.3 .pdf, Psychotic Disorder Agencies 4.3.pdf, Substance Use Disorder Agencies 4.3.pdf, Eating Disorder Agencies 4.3.pdf.

Helplines

Anxiety disorders

Social phobia, agoraphobia, panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder

SANE (Australia)

This is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness. The Factsheets and Podcasts page presents condition-specific information on anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
http://www.sane.org/
Phone: (61) 03 9682 5933
http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets_%2b_podcasts.html

RANZCP’s Consumer and Carer Clinical Practice Guidelines (panic disorder and agoraphobia)
This small A5-size booklet is distributed free and can be ordered from the RANZCP website.
Phone: (61) 03 9640 0646
http://www.ranzcp.org/resources/clinical-practice-guidelines.html

Mental Illness Fellowship (Australia)
This is a self-help, support and advocacy organisation of people with serious mental illnesses, their families and friends. Illnesses include obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. The site includes fact sheets and information, resources and research material and contact details of the state and territory offices.
Phone: (61) 03 84864200
Helpline: (61) 03 84864222
http://www.mifa.org.au/

Health Navigator (New Zealand)
Condition-specific information can be found under the tab ‘Health Topics’ and includes anxiety. Available material on this site includes fact sheets, pamphlets, symptoms, tests and diagnosis information, clinical resources, self-help measures, treatment and medication details, support services, and links for those wanting to learn more.
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/

Resource finder (New Zealand)
This is a New Zealand-based internet resource which allows the user to browse a list of approximately 90 different mental health related topics.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/resourcefinder/listings/search/

Beyondblue (Australia)
This is a national depression initiative with an informative website including relevant links to help for anxiety disorders.
Info line: 1300 22 4636
http://www.beyondblue.org.au

The Phobic Trust of New Zealand
The Phobic Trust is a charity established to provide specialist treatment, education and support specifically to anxiety disorder sufferers. Phone: (64) 09 846 9776.

The Anxiety Disorders Clinic (Wellington) Phone: (64) 4 245 0012
24-hour support line: 0800 14 Anxiety OR 0800 142694389
http://www.phobic.org.nz/

Agoraphobic Support Group (Canterbury, New Zealand)
Phone: 03 374 9893

Social Phobia Support Group (Canterbury, New Zealand)
Phone: 03 377 9665

Affective (mood) disorders

Major depressive disorder (depression), dysthymia, mania, hypomania, and bipolar mood disorder

SANE Australia
This is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness.
Phone: (61) 03 9682 5933
http://www.sane.org/
The Factsheets and Podcasts page presents condition-specific information on bipolar mood disorder and depression.
http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets_%2b_podcasts.html

Depression Services (internet site)
Information on depression, types of depression, counselling services, peer support & information and self-management section
http://www.depressionservices.org.au/

RANZCP’s Consumer and Carer Clinical Practice Guidelines (bipolar disorder and depression)
This small A5-size booklet is distributed free and can be ordered from the RANZCP website.
Phone: (61) 03 9640 0646
http://www.ranzcp.org/resources/clinical-practice-guidelines.html

Mental Illness Fellowship (Australia)
This is a self-help, support and advocacy organisation of people with serious mental illnesses, their families and friends. Illnesses include major depression and bipolar disorder. The site includes fact sheets and information, resources and research material and contact details of the state and territory offices.
Phone: (61) 03 84864200
Helpline: (61) 03 84864222
http://www.mifa.org.au/

Health Navigator (New Zealand)
Condition-specific information can be found under the tab ‘Health Topics’ and includes bipolar disorder and depression.
Available material on this site includes fact sheets, pamphlets, symptoms, tests and diagnosis information, clinical resources, self-help measures, treatment and medication details, support services, and links for those wanting to learn more.
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/

Resource finder (New Zealand)
This is a New Zealand-based internet resource which allows the user to browse a list of approximately 90 different mental health related topics.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/resourcefinder/listings/search/

Beyondblue (Australia)
This is a national depression initiative with an informative website covering depression, bipolar disorder and antenatal depression.
Info line: 1300 22 4636
http://www.beyondblue.org.au

Black Dog Institute (Australia)
The site provides fact sheets on depression, bipolar disorder and associated topics.
Phone: (61) 02 9382 4530
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Depression (New Zealand)
This site offers help with signs, symptoms, other people’s stories, information, self-help and resources.
Helpline: 0800 111 757
http://www.depression.org.nz/content/home

SPINZ – Suicide Prevention in New Zealand
Phone: 09 300 7035
www.spinz.org.nz

BALANCE – New Zealand Bipolar Network
Phone: 03 366 3631
www.balance.org.nz

Manic Depressive Support Group (New Zealand)
Wellington Adult Mental Health Service
Phone: 04 385 5802

Psychotic disorders

Schizophrenia and substance-induced psychotic disorders

SANE Australia
This is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness.
Phone (61) 03 9682 5933
http://www.sane.org/
The Factsheets and Podcasts page presents condition-specific information on schizophrenia and psychosis. add link http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets_%2b_podcasts.html

RANZCP’s Consumer and Carer Clinical Practice Guidelines (schizophrenia)
This small A5-size booklet is distributed free and can be ordered from the RANZCP website.
Phone: (61) 03 9640 0646
http://www.ranzcp.org/resources/clinical-practice-guidelines.html

Mental Illness Fellowship (Australia)
This is a self-help, support and advocacy organisation of people with serious mental illnesses, their families and friends. Illnesses include schizophrenia. The site includes fact sheets and information, resources and research material and contact details of the state and territory offices.
Phone: (61) 03 84864200
Helpline: (61) 03 84864222
http://www.mifa.org.au/

Health Navigator (New Zealand)
Condition-specific information can be found under the tab ‘Health Topics’ and includes psychosis.
Available material on this site includes fact sheets, pamphlets, symptoms, tests and diagnosis information, clinical resources, self-help measures, treatment and medication details, support services, and links for those wanting to learn more.
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/

Resource finder (New Zealand)
This is a New Zealand-based internet resource which allows the user to browse a list of approximately 90 different mental health related topics.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/resourcefinder/listings/search/

Substance use disorders

Alcohol and drug abuse and dependence

Resource finder (New Zealand)
This is a New Zealand-based internet resource which allows the user to browse a list of approximately 90 different mental health related topics.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/resourcefinder/listings/search/

Dual Diagnosis Australia & New Zealand
This is a resource repository created to contribute to better outcomes for persons with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. It offers a range of resources including interactive forums, fact sheets, audio and video material, publications and presentations.  http://www.dualdiagnosis.org.au/home/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Mental Illness Fellowship (Australia)
This is a self-help, support and advocacy organisation of people with serious mental illnesses, their families and friends. Support for mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse is offered under the following headings: understanding dual diagnosis, bipolar disorder and alcohol and drug use, ecstasy and depression, substance use – stages of change model, cannabis and psychosis and heroin and psychosis. The site includes fact sheets and information, resources and research material and contact details of the state and territory offices.
Phone: (61) 03 84864200
Helpline: (61) 03 84864222
http://www.mifa.org.au/

Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre (Australia)
Turning Point strives to promote and maximise the health and well-being of individuals and communities living with and affected by alcohol and other drug-related harms.
http://www.turningpoint.org.au/

Eating disorders

The Butterfly Foundation
This website provides support for Australians who suffer from eating disorders and negative body image issues, and their carers. The site provides telephone and online support (02 9412 4499), support groups, information and resources for patients, carers and families and research material. http://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/

RANZCP’s Consumer and Carer Clinical Practice Guidelines (anorexia nervosa)
This small A5-size booklet is distributed free and can be ordered from the RANZCP website.
Phone: (61) 03 9640 0646
http://www.ranzcp.org/resources/clinical-practice-guidelines.html

Health Navigator (New Zealand)
Condition-specific information can be found under the tab ‘Health Topics’ and includes eating disorders.
Available material on this site includes fact sheets, pamphlets, symptoms, tests and diagnosis information, clinical resources, self-help measures, treatment and medication details, support services, and links for those wanting to learn more.
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/

Resource finder (New Zealand)
This is a New Zealand-based internet resource which allows the user to browse a list of approximately 90 different mental health related topics.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/resourcefinder/listings/search/

Centre for Eating and Dieting Disorders (CEDD)
The NSW CEDD is an online service which aims to improve access to expert services for people who have an eating or dieting disorder.
Phone: (61) 02 9515 6040
http://www.cedd.org.au/

Eating Disorders Association Inc (EDA)
The EDA Inc (Qld) aims to improve the intervention, education and support for all people affected by eating disorders.
Phone: (61) 07 3394 3661
http://www.eda.org.au

Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria
The Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria (Inc) is a statewide non-profit charity organisation which aims to support those whose lives are affected by anorexia and bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders.
Phone: (61) 03 9885 6563
Eating disorder hotline: 1300 550 236 (non-metropolitan) or 03 9885 0318
http://www.eatingdisorders.org.au

Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders
The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders aims to reduce the occurrence, impact and duration of eating disorders in people of all ages, through the provision of education, training, consultation and research to health care providers at all levels.
Phone: (61) 03 8387 2669 (reception & general enquiries)
Phone: (61) 03 8387 2673 (consultation & education services)
http://www.rch.org.au/ceed

Eating Disorders Association NZ Inc
EDANZ was established to provide support and education for parents and caregivers of people with eating disorders.
Phone: (64) 09 818 9561
http://www.ed.org.nz/

Eating Disorder Services (New Zealand)
This service is operated by the Hutt Valley District Health Board and provides specialist services to people with eating disorders in the greater Wellington area. It offers a full range of services, from training and nutritional counselling to residential care.
Phone: (64) 04 478 6674
www.eatingdisorders.org.nz

EDEN – Eating Difficulties Education Network (New Zealand)
This site provides information about EDEN’s approach to eating issues, with information and some proactive ways of promoting body satisfaction.
Phone: (64) 09 378 9039
http://www.eden.org.nz/

Eating Awareness Team (New Zealand)
EAT is a Christchurch-based NGO providing services such as support, support groups, counselling, information, education and training sessions.
Phone: 0800 690 233

Reflective exercise

Select a patient that you currently work with.

Continue to Module 4.4: General Physical Well-being