The Mental Health Support Group Network is an initiative of the Mental Health association NSW Inc (MHA)and the Association of Relatives and friends of the Mentally Ill (ARAFMI) to assist support group leaders by providing free training and resources on a regular basis. It aims to foster networking opportunities by personally connecting leaders and linking support groups across all regions of NSW. Bipolar disorder was the first of the serious mental illnesses to b effectively treated with lithium, antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. This paper will review the changes in treatment since the discovery of lithium as a treatment and prophylactic for bipolar disorder and the effects on the lives of people living with the disorder. Early consumer groups in the mental health area had a high proportion of people living with bipolar disorder. An analysis of support groups in the US,UK and Australia show that the growth of early support groups in the late 1970s and early 1980s owed much to the accurate diagnosis and consequent access to effective treatment of people living with bipolar disorder. People who no longer experienced significant disability and extended periods of hospitalisation were able to take part in community action to improve mental health services. Support groups specifically for people living with mood disorder developed with a strong emphasis on medication compliance and working with service providers. While many participants will leave the groups after a limited number of sessions, the groups remain as a significant tool for people to learn about bipolar disorder, the treatments available and to share others’ experiences of living with mood disorder. Current issues in setting up support groups in NSW through the Mental Health Support Network in NSW will be discussed.