Darwin
Venue 16/59 Bayview Boulevard, Bayview NT
Dates Starting 5th February 2025
Days & Time Wednesday evenings | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Contact
Jess 0423 656 284 | jess@livedexperiencent.net
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, drug, gambling and/or mental health related problem.
Circles of Support provides a safe and confidential space for family members or friends to access both support and information.
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.
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:
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.
