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A Mental Health Group

Insights Mental Health Support Group is a compassionate, inclusive community dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by mental illness, emotional challenges, or social isolation.

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Insights Meetings Flyer

Insights has returned in February 2025. We have moved to a new home at the 'Uniting' building in Ballarat East after 8 fantastic years at Wellways, Ballarat. Please see our most recent flyer for upcoming meetings. See you soon!

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About Us

Insights Mental Health Support Group Ballarat is a volunteer non-profit organisation that was founded in 2004. With supports from donations, grants and assistance from the Victorian Department of Health and the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC), Insights has continued to support the Ballarat community.

The group was originally established to support individuals with bipolar disorder. Since then, Insights have evolved into a more inclusive support group for those experiencing a range of mental health challenges, including mood, personality, anxiety, phobia, and psychotic disorders, as well as those facing emotional difficulties and social isolation.

Our monthly meetings have previously invited guest speakers such as musicians, artists, healthcare professionals, and mental health advocates, who cover a variety of topics—from navigating the NDIS to accessing local support services.

Beginning at former Aprotch building in Ballarat East, Insights later moved to Wellways, Ballarat Central. As of 2025, Insights has relocated to the 'Uniting' building in Ballarat East. Since COVID-19, our meetings have adapted to a hybrid format, allowing members to join either face-to-face, by phone and through the app Zoom.

Insights is currently under the auspice by the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC).

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Acknowledgment of Country

Insights acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, and recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Our Team

Insights is run by volunteers with the current committee working together since 2016.

Chair

Our chair oversees the group, manages conflict resolution, networking and collaborating with other organisations and professionals. He is the main facilitator of our group meetings. He has around 25 years' experience working in lived experience roles such as a consumer consultant and senior manager at psych services. He holds a degree in Social Welfare and is also a director for an Australia wide support group organisation. He is currently completing his master's degree in philosophy specialising in theology and virtue ethics. He also holds certificates in emotional CPR and in peer support. His interests include participating in cycling events, hiking, playing the flute and piano and walking his dog.

Co-Chair

Our co-chair has been with Insights for the past 7 years. He oversees the technical side of Insights such as designing the Insights website, set-ups for zoom meetings, setting up for events and music tech. He holds a certificate in mental health and has been working in the NDIS since 2019. His interests include playing guitar, backpacking, philosophy and cooking.

Treasurer

Our treasurer has been working in the mental health and disability sector since 2018 and holds degrees in Visual Arts and in Community and Human Services. She has experience in navigating the NDIS such as funding, invoicing processes and in plan management. She handles the financial side of Insights which includes applying for grant funding and finalising acquittals, banking, insurances and budgeting for expenses. Her interests include art and art history, meeting new people, travelling and anything music related.

Secretary

Our secretary manages the communication side of things such as admin activities and overseeing the Insights web and Facebook pages. She keeps up to date with creating the flyers and in emailing and SMS reminders of upcoming meetings. Her interests include horse riding, cooking, gardening and crochet.

Insights Library

(Books are available for hire for a small deposit)

Books on Depression & Personality Disorders

  • Beating the Blues: A Self-Help Approach to Overcoming Depression – Susan Tanner & Jillian Ball

  • Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified – Robert O. Friedel

  • Breaking the Patterns of Depression – Michael D. Yapko

  • Hand-Me-Down Blues: How to Stop Depression from Spreading in Families – Michael D. Yapko

  • I Had a Black Dog – Matthew Johnstone

  • Patterns of Depression – Michael D. Yapko

  • Taming the Black Dog: A Guide to Overcoming Depression – Bev Aisbett

  • Tracking the Black Dog – Edited by Kerry Eyers

Books on Bipolar Disorder and Mood Disorders

  • A Lifelong Journey: Staying Well with Manic Depression/Bipolar Disorder – Sarah Russell

  • Surviving Manic Depression: A Manual on Bipolar Disorder for Patients, Families, and Providers – E. Fuller Torrey & Michael B. Knable

  • The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings – Monica Ramirez Basco

  • Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament – Kay Redfield Jamison

  • Win the Battle: The 3-Step Lifesaving Formula to Conquer Depression and Bipolar Disorder – Bob Olson

Books on Schizophrenia

  • A Beautiful Mind – Sylvia Nasar

  • Joe’s Diary – A Personal Account of Schizophrenia

  • Living with Schizophrenia: A Family Guide to Making a Difference – Jeffrey Rado & Philip G. Janicak

  • My Punished Mind – David C. Boyles

  • Nightmare: A Schizophrenia Narrative – Wendell Justin Williamson

  • The Center Cannot Hold – Elyn R. Saks

  • The SANE Guide to Schizophrenia – SANE Australia

Books on Mental Health Treatments & Coping Strategies

  • 50 Psychology Classics – Tom Butler-Bowdon

  • Healthy Food, Healthy Mind – Mark Loughran

  • Healthy Living – SANE Australia

  • The Meaning of Madness – Neel Burton

  • The SANE Guide for Families – SANE Australia

  • The SANE Guide to Drugs – SANE Australia

  • The SANE Guide to Healthy Living – SANE Australia

  • The SANE Guide to Medication and Other Treatments - SANE Australia

  • The Science of Self-Realization – His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Memoirs & Personal Stories

  • Broken Open – Craig Hamilton

  • Dying for a Cure: A Memoir of Antidepressants, Misdiagnosis, and Madness – Rebekah Beddoe

  • Flying with Paper Wings: Reflections on Living with Madness – Sandy Jeffs

  • For Families – SANE Australia

  • My Schizophrenic Life – Sandra Yuen MacKay

  • Petra Thomas: Swimming Against the Tide – Andy Shea

  • Speaking from Experience – A collection of personal stories - SANE Australia

  • Speaking from Experience: Families and Mental Illness - SANE Australia

  • The Quiet Room – Lori Schiller & Amanda Bennett

  • You're Not Alone: A SANE Guide - SANE Australia

Mental Health Links

Support services in the Ballarat region

Support services in the surrounding areas

Contact Us

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Address

Ballarat VIC, Australia

Email

insightsmhballarat@gmail.com

ABN

13367415397