Support Groups .. Family to Family

NAMI Family to Family Education Program

FREE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE RELATIVES WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS

Date: TBA
Time: 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Location: NC-130

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a new concept in education for families and others affected by serious mental illness: Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. The course was written by an experienced family member/mental health professional. It is taught by family members who have completed the course and are specifically trained to teach it to others.

Included in the Course:

Class 1: Learning about normal reactions when mental illness strikes a family
Class 2: Schizophrenia, major depression, mania, schizoaffective disorder: getting through a critical period
Class 3: Types and sub-types of depression and bi-polar disorder, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder; telling our stories
Class 4: The biology of the brain, research, causes, the biology of recovery
Class 5: Problem solving, setting limits, problem solving workshops
Class 6: Medication overview
Class 7: What it is like to have a brain disorder; empathy workshop
Class 8: How illness interferes with the capacity to communicate; communication skills workshop
Class 9: Self-care, how to rebalance our lives
Class 10: Rehabilitation, a first person account of recovery
Class 11: Advocacy, learning how to change the system
Class 12: Review and certification ceremony

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is appropriate for parents, grown siblings and significant others of persons with severe and persistent mental illness.  Individuals who are suffering from one of the major mental illnesses themselves may attend the course if their present condition is stable and they are the primary caregiver of an ill person.

Classes are held on a year-round basis throughout Orange County. There is no charge for the class, however, registration is required. Membership in NAMI is encouraged but not required.

If you are interested in attending the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Course, please contact Kang Tran, NAMI Orange County at 714.544.8488 x101 or email .