SHAMOKIN - NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley, the local organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will offer its Family-to-Family Education Program beginning Wednesday, Sept. 4. The free, 12-session education program is for caregivers of adults living with mental illness.
The course provides a broad perspective that will help parents, spouses, siblings and adult children better understand and support loved ones living with mental illness, while taking care of their own needs.
"Mental illness does not involve just one person," said NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley president, Mickey McElroy. "Entire families are affected."
For more information or to register for the course, contact Richard Rugen at rrugen@ptd.net or 204-7608.
The program starts at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will be told the location, which is otherwise kept private to ensure confidentiality.
The course provides information about major mental illnesses and current research on their biological aspects; treatment strategies and prospects for recovery; specific skills for communication, problem-solving and handling crises and relapse; coping skills for family caregivers to alleviate worry, stress and emotional overload, and guidance on finding appropriate mental health care and support in the community and how to advocate for them.
Mental illness includes major depression, major anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley and dedicated volunteer members and leaders work tirelessly to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people in our community living with mental illness and their loved ones.