Support groups for people with ME/CFS operate across metropolitan Melbourne and country Victoria. Some support groups offer an annual program of guest speakers for participants, while others have a more social focus. Telephone support is also available on (03) 9791 2199.

All groups have indicated that they welcome new members and run their groups according to the needs and requests of group members. If you are interested in knowing more about these groups or wish to join, please call the office on (03) 9791 3100.

Establishing Support Groups

There is a great need for ME/CFS support groups to be established, especially in the west. If people in the western suburbs are interested in starting or being involved in a support group, please contact the office on (03) 9791 3100.  A list of two or three participants and a volunteer facilitator are all that's required to get a group up and running!

Facilitating might be as fundamental as organising a cafe and time to meet, and sending occasional emails to members. ME/CFS Victoria can support facilitators in setting up and running their groups. Please call the office on (03) 9791 3100 to chat to us about it.

Referrals to ME/CFS support groups are filtered through ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) to protect the privacy of group facilitators.

Email Support Groups

ME/CFS Victoria manages two email chat groups; one for young members (under 18 years), and one for members aged over 18. The groups are designed to be a safe place where members can share experiences, thoughts, ideas and connect with others. Unlike the Facebook discussion board, only those with a current membership of ME/CFS can access, join and participate in the groups. Membership is by invitation only; call the office on (03) 9791 3100 for an invite.

The groups are hosted at Yahoo and require a Yahoo account to join.

Support Groups (Metro Melbourne)

Bentleigh-Bayside

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, fourth Monday.
Often have guest speakers on a range of serious as well as entertaining and light-hearted topics.  Also meets socially at cafés throughout the year.

Croydon

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, first Thursday.
Informal meetings with occasional speakers, established in 2004.  Run by a trained counsellor.

Dandenong

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, first Tuesday.
Informal discussion and support.

Doncaster/Mitcham

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, third Saturday.
Cafe style group, with informal discussion and support.

Frankston

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, first Tuesday.
Guest speakers or just a coffee and chat and share ideas and tips for managing ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Established 1998.

Glen Waverley

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, first Monday.
Support group facilitated by a professionally trained counsellor.

Nothern Suburbs (Fibromyalgia)

Meeting Frequency: ?
Active group with discussion and occasional guest speakers.

Richmond

Meeting Frequency: Monthly.
Cafe style group for people over 40.

St. Kilda

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, second Tuesday.
Informal and supportive group.  Arranged a large ME/CFS library display during Awareness Week 2009.

Cafe Club, Inner East

Meeting Frequency: Monthly.
A social group for people with ME/CFS, meeting in the inner Melbourne suburbs.

Cafe Club, Outer East

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, second Saturday
A social group for people with ME/CFS, meeting in the outer eastern suburbs.

Current Support Groups (Country Victoria)

Ballarat (Fibromyalgia & CFS)

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, third Tuesday.
Informal and supportive meetings, in addition telephone support between meetings.

Bellarine Peninsula/Ocean Grove

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, fourth Friday.
Everyone with ME/CFS, MCS and Fibromyalgia are welcome. A sub-group of 6-8 young people in their twenties and thirties get together socially.

East Gippsland/Sale

Meeting Frequency: Fortnightly, every second Saturday.
Membership from across the East Gippsland, if you can't make the group we can provide telephone support. A great mix of age groups. We distributed 50 health practitioner kits over the last few months. We chat and also discuss the articles/sheets supplied by head office.

Geelong

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, first Tuesday.
Members receive meeting notes and information. Usually 10-15 members attend. We help with telephone support and operate a lending library. Meetings are designed to be positive and informal where members share their experiences with ME/CFS, raise matters they would like investigated and generally have a guest speaker including health practitioners, politicians, researchers and departmental officers. The group is politically active and has met with MPs (see Emerge, Winter 2009).

Shepparton

Meeting Frequency: Monthly, second Tuesday.
Casual group, we sometimes have guest speakers and are active in increasing awareness of ME/CFS in local area.

Unfortunately the Bendigo Support Group, which has been running for over fifteen years, has had to close down. Our heartfelt thanks to Gail and Kevin, the facilitators of the group, for their fantastic efforts.

Tasmanian Support Groups

For support groups in Tasmania, please click here.

If you are interested in being involved in a support group but are unable to travel to those listed above, please call the office on (03) 9791 3100 to register your interest in being involved in a new support group in your area. Remember, it only takes three people to start a support group!