Anxiety Support Group

Our anxiety support group offer attendees the opportunity to discuss their anxiety and help them learn how to deal with their fears, knowing they are not alone. The caring and sharing of the group offers relief from isolation and loneliness. Carers are invited to contact the administrator to discuss possible attendance. Each MHFA Support Group is free.

Register

Session 1: Face-to-Face

Anxiety Support Group

Schedule

Every first Tuesday of the month

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Mental Health Foundation Australia

How to get there?


Face-to-Face sessions are conducted at the Mental Health Foundation Australia located at G1, 10 Yarra Street, South Yarra VIC 3141.    


If you plan to attend in-person, public transport is the easiest way to access the Wellness Hub. Private parking is available in the area- please be aware of closing times. 

Session 2: Online

Anxiety Support Group 

Schedule
Every third Monday of the month

6:30pm - 8:00pm (Melbourne Time)

Online session via Zoom

How to attend a online session?


Online sessions are conducted on Zoom.


Meeting Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84116349776?pwd=k9o28OPGbkyLWClZjOyXs49a7lsU9J.1


Meeting ID: 841 1634 9776

Passcode: 961481


Trouble accessing Zoom? Click here


Note: Our online groups are available to you from anywhere and everywhere, wherever you are in the world.

Troubleshooting tips for Online Meetings


  • If you are having trouble connecting you could try clearing your browser cache.
  • There are instructions for this for Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari.
  • You could also try restarting the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device.
  • Zoom do offer some technical support with a knowledge base and customer support.


Unfortunately the MHFA can do very little to assist with connection issues as Zoom is a 3rd party application and out of our control.

About Anxiety

Anxiety is an unpleasant emotion that most people feel when something might be perceived as risky, stressful or frightening. Stress and anxious feelings are a common response to a situation where we feel under pressure, they usually pass once the situation has passed or the ‘stressor’ is removed.


Some of the signs and symptoms include:

  • Nervousness, tense or restless
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Trouble in concentrating
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Increased heart rate
  • Gastrointestinal Problems
  • Sweating or trembling
  • Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
  • Sense of worry

There are numerous factors that contribute to the anxiety disorder. A genetic predisposition and having a sensitive, reactive makeupmay play a part. Untreated childhood fears and a belief system that emphasises vulnerability and the need for perfection and approvalmay be other factors. Certain medical conditions like palpitations or low blood sugar are recognised as signs of panic attacks. Moreover,alcohol and drugs are one of the reasons to increase anxiety in predisposed individuals.

Anxiety management strategies


Anxiety management strategies like slow breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can help, staying active and eating well and spending time with family friends can relieve your anxiety. 


Support group


If your life feels like it is on a downward spiral and you are struggling to cope, our support group sessions offer sufferers and carers the opportunity to discuss their anxiety and help them learn how to deal with their fears, knowing they are not alone. The caring and sharing of the group offers relief from isolation and loneliness.


Thilona Headshot

Andrew Cookson

Anxiety Support Group Facilitator

Andrew is a lead teacher in the areas of Mental Health and Mental Health Peer Work at Cert IV level at the Swinburne University and a experienced Mental Health First Aid Instructor for more than 12 years. He has a longstanding history with the Mental Health Foundation Australia as a Peer Facilitator. His teaching experience has led him to multiple different sites, settings, and audiences, focusing on interaction and engagement with students, where he educates while appropriately sharing his lived experience of over 20 years of effectively managing bipolar disorder.