Community support groups
Find free mental health support in your area. See listings of support groups by region and type of support.
Awareness Canterbury
A consumer network for action on mental health and addictions.
Awareness is a network of people who have used mental health or addictions services, or identify with experiencing mental illness, substance use issues or distress.
Our aim as a group is to help make mental health services and wider society better for people with experience of distress.
We meet monthly as a group, and hold smaller, project group meetings to work on specific projects. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month from 12.30pm and are a welcoming space open to anyone who identifies with having personal experience of mental illness or addictions.
Region
Canterbury
Contact Information
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/awarenesscanterbury/
Balance Aotearoa
A well-established national bipolar and depression support network, including resources and online forums.
A well-established national bipolar and depression support network, including resources and online forums.
Region
Nationwide
Contact Information
Phone: (06) 345 4488
Website: https://www.balance.org.nz/
Bay of Plenty Growing Through Grief
The Growing Through Grief Service offers programmes for children, young people and adults who are experiencing change, loss and grief in their lives.
The Seasons for Growth programme aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of those attending following significant loss and change, and to support individuals to adapt to what they are experiencing.
Programmes are available in Tararua, Central Hawke’s Bay, Te Matau-a-Māui, Tairāwhiti, Ōpōtiki, Whakatāne, Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga and Te Puke
Region
Bay of Plenty
Contact Information
Website: https://acw.org.nz/grief-services/
Email: gtgadmin@acw.org.nz
Bereaved by suicide support group – Invercargill
Facilitated group meetings with other people living with suicide grief.
Meet with others living with suicide grief.
This group runs at the Loss and Grief Centre, Invercargill: 5.00pm–6.00pm on the last Tuesday of every month (sometimes varies). Group facilitator: Caroline Loo.
For details, contact the Invercargill Grief Centre.
Region
Southland
Contact Information
Phone: 027 443 8788
Email: lossandgriefcentre@gmail.com
Website: https://www.lossandgriefcentre.com/
Bereaved by Suicide Support Groups
Peer support groups for people bereaved by suicide.
Peer support groups for people bereaved by suicide in Levin, Otaki, Manawatu and Horowhenua. Groups run by Rose Allan at ACROSS: Te Kotahitanga o te Wairua.
Region
Manawatu/Wanganui
Contact Information
Phone: 06 356 7486
Email: rallan@across.org.nz
Website: https://www.across.org.nz/
Bipolar Support Group at DRIVE Consumer Direction
A support group in south Auckland for people managing life with bipolar disorder.
The Bipolar Support group meets on the first Friday of the month at DRIVE from 10am to 12pm and on the third Tuesday of the month from 7pm to 9pm on zoom. Contact them for the link on: counties.bipolar@gmail.com
The group is run by, and for people with lived experience of bipolar. Share your challenges and offer support to others with your experience, strength and hope. People who do not have lived experience of bipolar may only attend if they come with someone who does experience symptoms of bipolar.
Region
Auckland
Contact Information
Website: https://drivedirection.org/resources/bipolar-support-group
Phone: (09) 263 6508
Email: counties.bipolar@gmail.com
Birth Trauma Aotearoa
Birth Trauma Aotearoa offers education and support, including the My Birth Story website.
Birth Trauma Aotearoa is a charitable trust undertaking education, advocacy, research and support services regarding both physical and psychological birth trauma.
Region
Nationwide
Contact Information
Main website: https://www.birthtraumaaotearoa.org.nz/
My Birth Story website: https://www.mybirthstory.org.nz/
Blenheim Waves Group
A programme designed to support adults who have been bereaved by suicide.
Waves is an eight-week programme that aims to support adults 18+ years old who have been bereaved by suicide.
Next group TBC. To register interest in attending or for more information, please contact Care Marlborough.
Region
Marlborough
Contact Information
Contact Person: Carla Brownie
Phone: (03) 578 0302
Email: manager@carem.nz
CARE Marlborough
Peer led community mental health organisation.
CARE Marlborough is a peer led community mental health agency providing 2 services - Mental Health Advocacy Service and the Day Activity Program.
CARE stands for Can Achieve Recovery Everyday. This is a free service for people over the age of 18 years, living in Marlborough who have had or have a mental health condition. Open from 9-4pm, 7 days a week.
Region
Marlborough
Contact Information
Phone: 03 578 0302
Email: Email manager
Website: CARE Marlborough on Facebook
Centre 401 Trust
Peer and self-help centre for people with experience of mental illness.
Peer and self-help centre for people with experience of mental illness. The centre offers individual recovery support, weekly workshops, Planet 401 Magazine, peer support and recovery information.
Hours:
Monday–Thursday, 9.00am–4.00pm
Friday, 9.00am – 3.00pm
No referral required. Just make an appointment to become a member of Centre 401 Trust.
Region
Waikato
Contact Information
Phone: 07 838 0199
Email: admin@centre401.co.nz
Website: https://www.centre401.co.nz/
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