About Us
- What We Do
- The Eating Disorders Helpline
- Recovery Support Officer
- Family Support Officer
- Recovery Messageboard
- Recovery Chatroom
- Care & Share - for carers
- Support Groups
- Library Service
- EDV Helpfinder Service
- Workshops and Training
- Advocacy and Lobbying
- Community Awareness Program
- Reliable Information
- Consumer and Carer Representation
- Resources For Sale
- Our Vision, Mission & Values
- Our Aims
- How We Are Funded
- Benefactors and Supporters
- Our Board
- Our Staff
- Our Volunteers
- History
- Annual Report
- Contact Us
Support Groups
Support groups provide an opportunity for information sharing, increased understanding and mutual support. They alow people to discuss and share their lived experiences and emotions and develop new strategies in a safe and supportive environment. It is not therapy but rather an opportunity to receive and provide support to others in a similar situation. They provide empathy, understanding and hope for those whose lives are affected by an eating disorder.
Where can I find a support group?
How will attending a support group help me?
Listening to another person's ideas or strategies may provide you with helpful inspiration for your particular situation. Alternatively, you may share your experiences only to find there is another person in the group who can relate to what you are saying. This level of understanding whereby you don't need to explain yourself can ease the stress considerably. You may discover new coping strategies, stress management approaches or just enjoy the interaction with people in a similar situation to your own.
What do I say?
Initially you may wish to listen to other people's experiences until you feel comfortable to speak. In time most people find they have more to say about their particular situation than they realised.
Who runs the group?
All EDV support groups are run by trained volunteers with an interest and desire to help those affected by eating disorders. All group convenors have undergone EDV training and have professional qualifications and experience relevant to running such groups and/or personal experience with eating disorders.
We also aim to have a visiting health professional at all Family and Friends groups. This may be a psychologist, psychiatrist or dietician. The involvement of these professionals provides participants with the opportunity to ask more specific questions about particular aspects of eating disorders and gain a deeper understanding and awareness about the eating disorder.
The EDV support groups are free. A contribution of $3 to cover venue hire & refreshments would be gratefully appreciated.
- Recovery Support Groups: for people with an eating disorder.
- Family and Friends Support Groups: for family, partners and friends of a loved one experiencing an eating disorder.
- Combined Support Groups: open both to people recovering from an eating disorder and family and friends who are caring for a loved one with an eating disorder.