Family members and “significant others” of persons with a chronic mental illness are invited to participate in the 12-session Family-to-Family Education Program sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The course will be held Mondays from 7 to 9:30 pm beginning Sept. 8, at St Joseph Parish Center in Jefferson. There is no charge for the course, but pre-registration is required so materials can be prepared.
Facilitators will be Karen North and Sue Wind, both of Jefferson. North and Wind have taught the class previously and have completed NAMI’s intensive training for the course.
The program is structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals with a serious mental illness while maintaining their own well-being. Participants will gain knowledge and insight about major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders.
Participation and all discussions are strictly confidential. The course covers: handling crisis and relapse; medications; listening and communication techniques; problem solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and self-care around worry and stress.
Persons who would like more information or to register for the class can call North at 515-386-2736, Wind at 515-386-3002, or NAMI Iowa at 1-800-417-0417.
