Social Kayak Paddle
June 17, 2025
Mental Health Groups
Safe, Caring and Confidential
Grow Program
Mental health support program
BALLINA: Monday 12:15 PM - 2:15 PM
MULLUMBIMBY: THURSDAY 10AM - 12PM
LISMORE: WEDNESDAY 6.30PM - 8.30PM
TWEED HEADS: MONDAY 10AM - 12PM
The Grow Program is a mental health support program based on lived experience. This means Grow groups are a meeting of peers, who are striving to develop and maintain good mental health.
About the Program
The Grow Program is based on a 12-step program of personal growth, mutual help and support. The Grow Program is all-inclusive and draws on many principles for mental, social and spiritual health.
At each meeting, members, known as Growers, share how they came to GROW and how they’re exploring self-improvement as they work on their personal recovery. Recovery isn’t a straight road and that’s where the support of other Growers can help. Everyone in the group has opportunities to share their experiences of coping with mental ill-health.
Joining a Grow group is free – you don’t need to have a referral or a doctor’s diagnosis and groups are confidential. You can even choose to remain anonymous.
Grow Meetings
Meetings take place in a safe, caring and confidential way, whether the meetings are face-to-face or online (we call our online meetings eGrow groups).
Grow group meetings are weekly and go for about two hours. The groups vary in size from 3-10 members and newer members are supported by experienced members who have worked through the Grow Program.
At each meeting, Growers will have opportunities to share any of their life challenges or issues, but sharing is your choice. Some first-time members choose not to speak or share, and that’s okay. There’s no pressure.
Meetings are free with voluntary contributions welcome.
There’s no pressure.
What makes GROW so special is the practical advice and the lived experiences that are shared every week by our members, also known as Growers. This peer-to peer style of support has been proven to be a positive way of helping you remain on the road to recovery. Meetings are free with voluntary contributions welcome.
Ballina Anxiety Support Group
Mental health support group
2nd Saturday of the month
from 11am to 1pm
Groups are usually composed of a small number of people who come together to share personal experiences and information in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.
What happens at a support group?
IMPORTANT – This is not a treatment group. It is a place where people who are impacted by anxiety can give and receive support related to living with and managing their anxiety. It is facilitated by trained volunteers who have a diverse range of experiences but who are not qualified health professionals. As such, this group is not suitable for people with high levels of mental distress which may be associated with psychosis, severe depression or active post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We recommend that you do not attend this group if you are experiencing high levels of distress as it is unlikely that it will be able to meet your needs.
CONNECT · CULTIVATE · GROW
A movement practice increases confidence in public spaces, encourages an active lifestyle and reduces isolation.
