Partners in Depression is a group education and support program for people who love, live with or care for someone experiencing depression (evidence-based psycho-education group).

Six session program (2 hours per week over 6 weeks) run by two facilitators in community settings. It covers a range of topics including:

  • What is depression
  • Treatments for depression
  • Suicidality and self-harm
  • Communication strategies
  • The support role
  • Importance of self-care
  • Where to and how to seek help for yourself and loved one with depression

Sessions include structured activities and group discussion as well as take-home practice strategies.

  • Suitable for people aged 16 years and over – program is based on adult learning principles.
  • Developed using the current evidence in this field.
  • Initiative of Hunter Institute of Mental Health (HIMH) based in Newcastle.

Note: Whilst the program has been developed for a generic audience, specific information and fact sheets are available to support program implementation for specific subpopulations (e.g. parents of adolescents with depression; partners of women experiencing perinatal depression). The program has been reviewed to ensure it is considered ‘culturally inclusive’.

Download Free COPMI Resources

For use by families where a parent has a mental illness, their supporters, and services who work with them.