What they do
WayAhead Anxiety Support Groups are small numbers of people who come together to share personal experiences and information in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. They are led by a trained volunteer facilitator.
Face to face groups take place in New South Wales and online groups are available for anyone living in Australia. They are free of charge, usually happen on a monthly basis, and last for between 1 and 2 hours.
Who they're for
These groups are for anyone in Australia experiencing or impacted by anxiety.
How they help
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 other's 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.”
How to contact
IMPORTANT - These are not treatment groups. They are places where people who are impacted by anxiety can give and receive support related to living with and managing their anxiety. They are facilitated by trained volunteers who have a diverse range of experiences but who are not qualified health professionals. As such, these groups are not suitable for people with high levels of mental distress which may be associated with psychosis, severe depression or active post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We recommend that you do not attend these groups if you are experiencing high levels of distress as it is unlikely that they will able to meet your needs.
You can contact WayAhead between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday via:
- WayAhead support line for general mental health enquiries: 1300 794 991
- WayAhead support line specifically for anxiety conditions: 1300 794 992