The Nation's Voice for the
Mentally IllNAMI Family-to-Family Education Program
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a 12-week course for families of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illnesses). The course is taught by trained family members. All course materials are furnished at no cost to you.
The course focuses on serious psychiatric disorders, such as: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder (manic depression), major depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), borderline personality disorder, co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders. The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.
You'll find a balance of basic psycho-education and skill training along with self-care, emotional support, and empowerment. You'll learn about handling crisis and relapses, communicatoin techniques, problem-solving and limit setting, stress reduction, medications, community services/support and advocacy.
The Family-to-Family Course Topics Include:
- Learning about feelings, learning about facts
- Schizophrenia, major depression and mania: diagnosis and dealing with critical periods
- Subtypes of depression and bipolar disorder, panic disorder and OCD, borderline personality disorders, diagnosis and causes, sharing our stories
- The biology of the brain/new research
- Problem solving workshop
- Medication review
- Empathy workshop -- what it's like to have a brain disorder
- Communication skills workshop
- Self-care and relative groups
- Rehabilitation services available
- Advocacy: fighting stigma
- Review and certification ceremony
There is no charge for this course. Family-to-Family is sponsored by NAMI Southwestern PA and NAMI PA. The course is designed for the family members of individuals with these brain disorders, rather than the individuals themselves.
In the South Hills, the next class will start September 5, 2002. Classes are limited in size. Call now to register or to obtain more information.
To register call: NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania at 412-366-3788 or toll-free 1-888-264-7972
"I have learned how to accept this devastating illness, take care of myself and my family, and advocate for better conditions for the mentally ill."
" I will miss the meetings! The sharing, caring, and nurturing have enabled me to better structure my relationship with my ill family member."
"The wonderful warmth, kindness, empathy, and quiet strength of the group created a safe haven so we could learn and discover, even when it was painful."
AFFILIATED
WITH
NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania,
NAMI PA and
NAMI
To contact us, please email Jinny Cochrane at Jinny628@aol.com or call us at (412) 563-6483.