Submitted article
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Marion and Crawford Counties will offer its no-cost Family-to-Family education program beginning September 12.
The 12-week course is conducted by trained family caregivers and is geared toward family members and close friends of individuals experiencing mental illness. It will be held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Bucyrus Public Library, 200 East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus.
The program 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 as well.
Classes cover diagnoses and symptoms of the most common mental illnesses, how the brain is affected, medications and treatment strategies, coping and communication skills, and guidance on finding proper care and supports in the community to help their loved ones on their recovery journey. The program and all training materials are provided free of charge to participants.
Registration is required, and classes fill up quickly. For more information or to register for the course, contact Carol Lantz at (419) 468-4100 or lantz_cjs@hotmail.com or Becky Weisenauer at (419) 563-6135 or beckyweisenauer@yahoo.com.
Mental illness includes major depression, major anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia.
About NAMI
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI of Marion and Crawford Counties and its dedicated volunteer members and leaders work 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.