What began 28 years ago as a personal mission after the loss of her son Barry to suicide has grown into a District-wide support network reaching hundreds of inpatients and community mental health clients each year.
It’s all thanks to Barbara Swain, now 79, who initiated the Mental Health Support Group by placing toiletry packs on beds at Lismore Base Hospital for patients who had no family or friends to support them.
“I just wanted to do something that made people feel welcome,” Barbara said.
“Mental health units can feel cold and clinical. I wanted to change that.”
Barbara’s efforts soon gained momentum.
After speaking at a Rotary Mental Health Forum in Ballina, she received offers of help and the Mental Health Support Group (MHSG) was formed.
Today, the group has around 15 volunteers and supports inpatient units at Lismore, Byron Bay and the Tweed, as well as community mental health services in Lismore and Ballina.
Director Allied Health, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Tania Wittleton said the MHSG provides everything from clothing and toiletries to furniture, household goods and even therapy items.
“They’ve been instrumental in helping people return home when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to,” Tania said.
The Group’s work is very practical. They furnish homes for people leaving hospital, supply school uniforms and books for children affected by a parent’s mental illness and provide emergency food boxes during crises like COVID and the Lismore floods.
They’ve also helped families who lost everything in bushfires.
“There’s really nothing they’ll say no to as long as it benefits the patients,” Tania said.
“The Group has provided basketball hoops, TVs, fridges and even art supplies. They’ve really focused on improving the quality of patients’ stays.”
The MHSG also runs a Christmas Hamper Appeal, delivering gifts to inpatients and families living with mental illness. This year, they’ve already received 70 requests.
“It’s about dignity,” Barbara said. “Everyone deserves to feel remembered and cared for.”
The Group’s impact is felt every day. Nurses stock cupboards with donated clothing, so patients admitted in distress have something comfortable to wear. NNSWLHD social workers and occupational therapists submit requests for furniture and household items, and the MHSG responds quickly. Around three homes are furnished each week.
The Group is also the proud owner of a delivery van, funded by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, and a new storage shed for donated items. Last year alone, they distributed around $25,000 worth of goods.
Guy Dayhew, Richmond / Clarence Mental Health Services Partnerships Coordinator said The Mental Health Support Group have endless passion for what they do. They make things happen when hope seems lost.
“Recently a client of the Community Mental Health Service in Lismore was struggling terribly with a visual impairment due to losing his glasses during a mental decline and admission,” Guy said.
“He could not appropriately access and navigate Centrelink, nor carry out his beloved art works – key to his mental wellbeing.”
When Guy explained this to Barbara, she immediately responded, “This man must have his glasses. Let’s get him to the optometrist today. We will fund his glasses.”
“This is just one of many, many interventions Barbara and the Mental Health Support Group have taken on driven by determination and compassion,” Guy said.
“Barbara and Peter and their tireless volunteers are thoroughly amazing; our community would not be the same without them.”
Barbara and the Group’s dedication has been recognised many times, including awards from the NSW Mental Health Association, Rotary and Ballina Shire Council. Most recently, they were named one of three finalists for the 2025 Community Champion Award by the Mental Health Commission.
“We were told there were 70 nominations,” Barbara said.
“Naturally we are very excited.”
Despite the accolades, Barbara remains focused on the people.
“We believe that every person with a mental illness should be treated with dignity and respect,” she said. “We want to make sure no one is left behind.”
The late Bob Costello, Chris Mortimer, Peter Saunders, Maree Gibson, Colleen Morgan, Linda Cherry, Suzanne Warmerdam, Barbara Swain, Josephine Saunders, Peter Swain, Kym Howe, Kevin Cherry and Ivan Howe.
“Sadly, our dear friend Bob Costello suddenly died a month ago. We are all devastated. He was a terrific man, compassionate and hard working,” said Barbara.
Presenting patchwork quilts to the Riverlands Detox Unit team for patients' beds.
Cooking up a storm at the Bunnings BBQ fundraiser.
Handing over patchwork quilts for beds at Byron Bay Sub-acute Mental Health Unit.
Delivering Christmas hampers to Community Mental Health.
Pictured top:
Barbara with the Tuckeroo Adult Sub-Acute Inpatient Unit Senior Occupational Therapist Angie D’Elboux, surrounded with quilts donated by the Mental Health Support Group. “They support our inpatient Mental Health Unit patients, having provided hundreds of handmade quilts to bring them the messages ‘you are not alone’ and ‘you are worth looking after’,” Angie said.