Support and Information Line - (03) 9888 8798
Staffed by volunteers, the Support and Information Line is available to provide practical information or a 'listening ear' for people to talk about their illness, or that of or a close friend or family member.
The Support Line is currently available at the following times:
Tuesday 1pm-5pm
Wednesday 9am-5pm
If the Support Line is unattended, please leave a message on the answering machine and a volunteer will get back to you as soon as they can. For immediate crisis situations, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Please note: volunteers are not medical practitioners and therefore unable to provide medical advice.
Health Practitioner's List
The Society holds a list of health practitioners who have allowed us to give out their names to callers wanting to find someone to treat or diagnose ME/CFS. The list is regularly maintained by volunteers, and includes specialist physicians, GPs, psychologists and a small number of other health professionals.
Please note: The provision of a health practitioner's name and contact details by ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) does not constitute a recommendation of that doctor.
Support Groups
Support Groups meet outside the office in locations in Melbourne, regional Victoria and other States. The groups offer a range of experiences for their members; some offer an annual program of guest speakers while others focus on socialising in various locations around Melbourne.
Library & Bookshop
ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) holds a collection of books, CDs, DVDs and other resources related to ME/CFS. These resources are available for members to borrow. The library is continually being updated, and plans are underway to increase the number of DVDs for loan. Suggestions for new books, DVDs and other resources, and ways to improve the library service are always welcome.
Crisis Care and Support Project
The purpose of the Crisis Care and Support Project is to work with people who suffer from ME/CFS and are in crisis situations. The project aims to facilitate the resolution of a crisis situation, to advocate on behalf of those in crisis as appropriate, and to promote access to appropriate support people and services. While the primary outcome will be the resolution of crisis situations, increased community awareness of ME/CFS and ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) are anticipated secondary benefits.
'Emerge' Magazine
Emerge is the quarterly journal of ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) containing news, articles on how to cope with the illness and details of all the latest research information from around the world. Members are encouraged to have their views aired in the 'Your Say' section and media coverage of the illness is dealt with in 'Media Watch'. The journal’s layout is designed to be easily read by ME/CFS sufferers by breaking up paragraphs and ensuring there are no long tracts of printed matter.
This magazine is free with membership.
Link-Up
This service brings small groups of people together through a facilitated telephone conference call. These discussion groups allow members to consider a range of health and personal issues without leaving home.
This service is available to members only.