BRUNSWICK — The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Maine and NAMI Bath-Brunswick will sponsor a free Family-to-Family Education Program specifically for families of people diagnosed with mental illness. The 12-week series of classes will be offered in Brunswick beginning on Monday, Sept. 14 from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
The course is an evaluated best practice program and will cover information about schizophrenia, the mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depression), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and other major mental illnesses. In addition, coping skills such as handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medications; listening and communication techniques; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and self-care around worry and stress will be included.
The course is designed specifically for parents, siblings, spouses, teenage and adult children and significant others of persons with severe and persistent mental illness. The curriculum has been written by an experienced family member mental health professional, and the course will be taught by NAMI family member volunteers who have taken intensive training as course instructors.
“This course is a wonderful experience,” said Christine Canty Brooks, director of Peer and Family Programs at NAMI Maine. “It balances basic psycho-education and skill-training with emotional support, self-care and empowerment. We hope families with relatives who have a mental illness will take advantage of this unique opportunity.”
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to enroll in the course call (207) 319-7956.
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