Mental illness workshops scheduled
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on August 19, 2004 2:02 PM
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Wayne County will soon offer the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program for Wayne, Lenoir, Sampson and Duplin counties.
This free course is for families and friends of someone diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The 12-week series of classes will start in Goldsboro on Monday, Sept. 13, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
This course will be held in the Borden Building, Mental Health Offices of Eastpointe, 100 S. James St.
The course covers current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, co-ocurring brain disorders and addictive disorders, medications and strategies for medication adherence, research related to the biology of brain disorders, and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery.
In addition coping skills are taught to help the family member or friend gain empathy, learn techniques for problem solving, listening and communication, developing strategies for handling crises and relapse, and equipping the caregiver with tools for maintaining their own well being.
The course is designed specifically for parents, siblings, spouses, teen-age and adult children and friends of people with severe and persistent mental illness. The course is not appropriate for people who suffer form one of the major mental illnesses.
The course is free. Registration is required by Sept. 12. No walk-in registrations. For more information or to register call John Crowe at 759-2146 or Phyllis Kennedy at 1-800-451-9682.
Crowe is also available to make a video and talk presentation about the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Course to churches or civic groups.