NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program

The Family-to-Family Course consists of a series of twelve classes for the families of persons with serious and persistent brain disorders (mental illnesses). These classes represent a new concept and curriculum. In this model, the course co-teachers are family members themselves, and the course has been designed and written by an experienced family-member mental health professional. The course balances education and skill-training with self-care, emotional support and empowerment.
 

Who Should Attend:
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is designed for the families of persons who have been diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness, as well as those who exhibit behavior that strongly suggests such a diagnosis. The course is not appropriate for individuals who are themselves suffering from one of these mental illnesses. The course is suitable for relatives of adult individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and co-occurring Brain Disorders and Addictive Disorders. Families of teenagers diagnosed as "seriously emotionally disturbed" may also wish to take the course, particularly if their teenage child has been diagnosed with one of the illnesses above. The course does not cover the specific childhood disorders of autism, childhood schizophrenia or ADHD. Nor does it deal with alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder, criminal behavior, or physical/sexual abuse in the family.

Course Details:
The course takes place for 12 consecutive weeks. Classes run for 2 1/2 hours, including breaks. Class size will vary from 10 to 20 family members. The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is free. It is sponsored by NAMI as a community service for families in the area.