FREE education & support for families of close relatives suffering from illnesses such as: Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Co-occurring Brain Disorders, and Addictive Disorders

Family to Family is a series of 12 weekly classes structured to help family members understand and support their ill relative while maintaining their own well being.

The course will cover information about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other serious mental illnesses. It will teach coping skills such as handling crisis and relapse, listening and communication skills, and self-care for caregivers around worry and stress. It also provides basic information about medications as well as recovery and rehabilitation.

The course is taught by a team of trained volunteer family members who know what it’s like to have a serious mental illness in the family.

There is no cost to participate in the NAMI Family to Family Education Program, but registration is required. Classes are limited to 20 persons.

We are currently accepting registration for the class starting on Monday, February 13, 2012. This free twelve-week course will begin on Monday, February 13 and will be held on Mondays from 7-9:30 pm in the Eliot Room Library, First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield.

 For more information or to register for this course please call Barbara at 203-984-8251 or Linda at 203-227-0413 or email at naminewsffd@earthlink.net

NAMI Basics Education Program

NAMI Basics is an education program designed specifically for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral health problems or mental illness. The six-week series of classes is offered yearly.

The course will cover information about the following disorders in children and adolescents: ADHD, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders. It will also cover coping skills, such as handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medication use in the treatment of mental illness in children; listening and communication techniques; problem solving skills; and an overview of the mental health and school systems’ roles in treating children and teens with mental illnesses.

The curriculum was written by an experienced family member mental health professional. The course will be taught by two volunteers who are parents of individuals who developed mental illness as children. “This course is a wonderful experience!” says Rebecca, one of the instructors. “It balances basic psychoeducation and skill training with emotional support, self-care and empowerment. We hope parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral or mental illnesses will take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

The course is free, but pre-registration is required. For more information please call Rebecca at 203-259-9779 or email thistleblu@sbcglobal.net.