Circles of Support

Circles of Support is a free support program for the family & friends of people who have an alcohol or drug problem.

Read on to find out what’s in the program and how you can register your interest for future programs.

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For additional information:

Please contact us by phone on 0438 022 032 (Noelene) or email at contact@livedexperiencent.net.

To register to attend a future program complete our online form, or contact us directly.

About the program

Circles of Support is an evidence-based peer education and support program developed by the NT Lived Experience Network.

The program has been created by local people for local people. Specifically, those who have a loved one with an alcohol or drug problem and/or mental health problem.

Circles of Support provides a safe and confidential space for family members or friends to access both support and information.

During 2022, a limited number of Circles of Support programs were delivered in Darwin and Palmerston as part of a trial funded by the Alcohol and Other Drug Foundation and evaluated by Flinders University.

What’s in the program

Circles of Support provides a supportive environment for family and friends to learn about:

Mental health, alcohol and drug related misuse and co-occurring issues;
Recovery and ways to support recovery;
Identifying & responding to a crisis;
Ways to support own wellbeing and practice self-care;
Managing overwhelming emotions and responses;
Setting boundaries on relationships;
Effectively communicating your needs and rights;
Responding to stigma and discrimination;
Navigating the mental health and alcohol and other drug service system;

Circles of Support is free to attend. Programs include plenty of break times and light refreshments will be provided. All necessary materials/resources are also provided.

Download the Circles of Support Information Flyer.

Evaluation of Circles of Support

During the 2022 trial and evaluation of Circles of Support, Flinders University externally assessed the effectiveness of Circles of Support to meet the needs of family and friends of people who experience alcohol and drug and/or mental health related problems.

Publications related to the evaluation of Circles of Support are linked below:

Full Evaluation Report: Tari-Keresztes, N., Armstrong, N., Smith, J., Gupta, H., Goding, S., Endemann, SA, Mulholland, K. (2022). Supporting family members’ and friends’ individual recovery with a locally co-designed peer-led recovery program in Darwin. Darwin, NT, Flinders University.

Journal Paper: Tari-Keresztes, N., Armstrong, N., Smith, J. A., Gupta, H., Goding, S., & Endemann, S. A. (2023). “You Don’t Get That from Professionals”: A Consumer-Led Peer Recovery Program for Families and Friends of Individuals with Alcohol and Other Drugs Use Issues in Darwin. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(8), [5514]. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085514

Re-recorded Conference Presentation: Armstrong, N., Tari-Keresztes, N., Smith, J., Gupta, H. (August 2023). Peer Education and Recovery in the NT [Paper Presentation]. The Mental Health Services Conference. Adelaide, SA.