Pain Support Groups and Help Lines
A support group or an online community can help some find hope and understanding. The following groups have been established by or are facilitated by people who themselves live with pain.
Australian Pain Management Association Support Groups
APMA is for people living with pain and and their family members. To find an APMA Support Group near you, click here.
Australian Pain ManagemenGAIN Chronic Pelvic Pain Support Groupt Association Support Groups
Gynaecological Awareness Information Network (GAIN) runs a Chronic Pelvic Pain Support Group to provide help Australia-wide over the phone. There are also bi-monthly meetings held in Perth. For phone support call Vanessa Watson 0437 498 917 or to find out more visit www.gain.org.au
Beyond Blue Forum
Beyond Blue provides information and support to people with mental health issues. One of its services is an online forum for people with trauma and chronic physical illness.
Adelaide Pain Support Network
Adelaide Pain Support Network is here to support people with persistent pain. They are supported by the Adelaide Primary Health NetworkFor more information please visit https://www.facebook.com/adelaide.painsupport
Bendigo Fibromyalgia Peer Support Group
Bendigo Fibromyalgia Peer Support Group is for people with chronic pain living in the Bendigo area in Victoria. There are monthly meetings held in Bendigo. Visit Bendigo Fibromyalgia Peer Support Group Facebook page.
Diamond Facts Chronic Pain Support Group
Diamond Facets is a closed Facebook group. There are also monthly meetings in Port Lincoln, South Australia. Visit Diamond Facets Facebook group.
Pain Support ACT
Pain Support ACT promotes the health and wellbeing of people in the Canberra region living with persistent pain. There are monthly meetings and other events, as well as opportunities to be involved in advocacy. Visit the Pain Support ACT Facebook page and the Pain Support ACT website.
Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW Community Groups
There are more than 35 Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW community groups across the state. To find out more visit the Branches and Support Groups page at arthritisnsw.org.au.
Dragon Claw
Dragon Claw is an Internet community to support people with autoimmune disorders, as well as their families and carers. Visit www.dragon-claw.org to sign up or learn more.
Pain Support ACT Meetings
Pain Support ACT promotes the health and wellbeing of people in the Canberra region living with persistent pain. There are monthly meetings and other events, as well as opportunities to be involved in advocacy.
Visit the Pain Support ACT Facebook page and the Pain Support ACT website.
Young Women’s Arthritis Support Group (YWASG)
YWASG holds monthly meetings and social gatherings in Melbourne. There is also a Facebook page you can join, to connect with the group from wherever you live. Visit YWASG Facebook page.
Musculoskeletal Australia Support Groups
There are more than 40 support groups for people with musculoskeletal conditions. They meet in person and online. To find a group, visit the Peer Support Groups page at www.msk.org.au
Australian Chronic Pain Sufferers Facebook Group
Australian Chronic Pain Sufferers is a closed Facebook group to support people with chronic pain, as well as family and friends. Visit Australian Chronic Pain Sufferers Facebook group or to contact the facilitator, Scott Thompson thomo506@me.com
Nillumbik Pain Support Group
Nillumbik Pain Support Group is for people living with chronic pain in the north east of Melbourne. It meets on the third Wednesday of the month in Eltham, Melbourne. To find out more visit their Facebook page.
CRPS Geelong
CRPS Geelong is for people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or other nerve pain condition who live in the Geelong area of Victoria. The group meets twice a month and also connects online. To find out more email crpsgeelong@gmail.com or visit the CRPS Geelong Facebook group.
Arthritis ACT Support Groups
A variety of groups meet regularly. These groups provide the opportunity to share information and encouragement in living effectively with a chronic condition. Find out more about Arthritis ACT Support Groups.
Occipital Neuralgia Australia
Occipital Neuralgia Support Group Australia is a closed Facebook support group is for people suffering from occipital neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, other nerve pain or cluster headaches. Visit their Facebook page.
Purple Bucket Foundation
The Purple Bucket Foundation provides support and information to people with CRPS, their families and carers. Visit the website www.tpbf.org.au or Facebook page.
Humankind
Humankind provides support for people with chronic illness and their loved ones to achieve positive relationships. Visit the Humankind website.
Chronic Pain Australia Forum
CPA hosts a forum on its website for people living with pain. The forum is an online community to support and empower one another. Visit the CPA forum.
Endometriosis Australia
Face-to-face and online support groups for Australian women with endometriosis. Visit the Endometriosis Australia website to find a support group near you.
The Australian RSD/CRPS Support Group
The Australian RSD/CRPS Support Group provides online and phone support and information for people affected by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Help Lines
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Pain Link Helpline 1300 340 357 (call back service)
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Musculoskeletal Australia Help Line 1800 263 265 or helpline@msk.org.au
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Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 (24/7)
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Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 (24/7)
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Arthritis Information Line 1800 011 041 (9am - 5pm)
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Headache Australia 1300 886 660 (Office hours)
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MS Australia 02 8484 1315 (Office hours)
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Women's Health and Research Institute of Australia 1300 722 206 (Office hours)