The history of HelpingMinds began on 20 July 1976 as The Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill when a public meeting for carers of people with a mental illness was conducted.

Betty Rebakis attended that first meeting and recalls:

“About 70 interested people attended, if I remember, all bringing our fears, grief and guilt with us but hoping for some relief at last. Dr Hearn stood up, some of us had not met him before; he stood tall and straight and spoke clearly and directly with a statement I will never forget.

“I want you all to know that there is nothing you have done, or haven’t done or should have done, that would have made any difference to your sick relative. It was all inevitable, so I want you all to get rid of any guilt feelings before we start.”

I as a mother heaved a sigh of relief, it was the kindest and most positive thing I’d heard for several years. My guilt was removed from that moment; it was the beginning of my learning experience in coping and coming to terms with mental illness.”

Between then and now we have grown considerably and in 2015 we changed our name to HelpingMinds.

We want to encourage all those affected by mental illness to talk with someone today. There’s no better time. Let’s talk.