I talked to my son today and found myself much more confident in what to say to him thanks to this program.
- Well Ways participant from Epping
What is Well Ways?
Well Ways is the name we give to a range of support and information programs designed to help family, friends and carers of people with a mental illness. Well Ways programs are delivered through structured workshops involving group discussions, videos and practical demonstrations. They are lead by experienced carers of people with mental illness who have been trained by the Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria.
Well Ways programs range from two days to a year long program. All provide practical information about mental illness and techniques to deal with the challenges that mental illness brings. Programs are run throughout the state, throughout the year.
The people running the program understand us as they too were going through as they too were going through the same thing.
- Well Ways: Building a Future participant
Well Ways programs have been developed with friends, families and cares for friends, families and carers – and it shows. Well Ways programs give you:
up to date and accurate information about mental illnesses, treatment and support options
new ideas, problem solving skills and confidence to cope with the impact of mental illness
an opportunity to share experiences with others who understand
broader ongoing sources of support and information
Judy and Bev did a great job, the carers were magnificent
with their insights and contributions
- Well Ways participants, Moonee Ponds
Meet a facilitator
Click the video below to meet Merrin Hosken, Well Ways facilitator and hear first hand what a Well Ways program is like.
Payment Methods include cheque (payable to Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria) or credit card (Visa, MasterCard).
I learned how to talk to doctors, case managers and the CAT team
- Well Ways participant from Epping
Well Ways around Australia
After many years in development Well Ways has received funding from the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing has made possible a roll-out of MI Fellowship Victoria's Well Ways program. Every state and Territory in Australia.
Contact your nearest office to find out what's available near you:
Well Ways Duo is a support and information program for families and friends of people with dual diagnosis - mental Illness and substance use. The group sessions, which are run weekly, three-hour sessions for six weeks are held across Victoria throughout the year. Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria also runs Well Ways duo courses in Vietnamese. The sessions incorporate presentations by police, crisis assessment and treatment teams and a psychiatrist.
Facilitators are experienced family members with a mental illness/ dual diagnosis who has been trained by Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria.
Well Ways Duo uses standard workshops that involve group discussion, videos, practical demonstration and problem solving techniques aiming to give families and friends of people with dual diagnosis:
information about mental illnesses and how they interact with drug and alcohol
treatment and support options
increased skill in managing behaviours
problem solving techniques for families
opportunities to share experiences and learn from others who understand what you’re going through
COST: Funding assistance may be obtained on behalf of carers who are unable to pay the full cost of participation. Where funding assistance is not available, the cost to the programs is discounted as follows:
