(As submitted by National Alliance on Mental Illness of Wood County)
Family-to-Family class
Those who care for or about people with mental illness face daily challenges. Their loved ones’ symptoms can be hard to understand and even harder to live with. They may wonder how best to help their loved one, or to get help for him or her.
That’s why NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Wood County offers its free Family-to- Family class. This course for relatives, caregivers, and friends of people with mental illness educates participants about mental illness’ symptoms and treatments. It educates them about local resources, helping them to navigate through the mental health system. Family-to- Family begins September 12 at 5:30 PM in the NAMI Wood County office (541 West Wooster, Bowling Green.) The twelve-week course also allows participants to share coping strategies with each other. Its trained facilitators have also cared for family members struggling with mental illness.
Family-to- Family was one of the first classes NAMI Wood County offered when it formed in 1987. Graduates of the course give it high marks. One graduate stated: “My outlook on our son and his mental illness has changed. I now understand why he does what he does and have a different outlook on dealing with it. “ Another says: “The class has been life-changing. “ Family-to- Family has been designated an evidence-based practice by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The class combines presentations, personal testimonials, and exercises in an informal, relaxed setting.
Family-to- Family is just one of the many free courses and support groups NAMI Wood County offers. For more information on other classes and events, please call NAMI Wood County at (419) 352-0626 or go online at www.namiwoodcounty.org.
Peer-to-Peer class
Mental illness is common; one in four American families has a member living with it. Despite the numbers, however, people struggling with these disorders can feel isolated. Friends and even family may not understand their symptoms, and the stigma that still haunts mental illness sometimes prevents sufferers from seeking help. But people living with mental illness can provide crucial help to each other.
That’s the rationale behind Peer-to- Peer, a free class offered by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Wood County. The class– used all over the country—is designed and facilitated by people recovering from mental illness. It teaches adults (eighteen and over) about mental illness’ symptoms and treatments, presents up-to- date research on brain biology, and gives them tools for interacting with health care providers. Participants also develop a personal relapse prevention plan and skills for making decisions and reducing stress.
The next Peer-to- Peer class begins September 13 and meets for five weeks each Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at NAMI Wood County’s offices at 541 West Wooster Street in Bowling Green. For more information or to register call NAMI Wood County at 419-352-0626 or go online at www.namiwoodcounty.org.
One of over 1,100 affiliates nationwide, NAMI Wood County has provided education, advocacy, or www.namiwoodcounty.org
Talk therapy
Talk therapy and sometimes medication are crucial, but people living with mental illness recover best when they recognize what triggers their symptoms and know how to respond. That’s what WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) offers. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Wood County is offering the free eight-week course beginning September 28 at 4:00 PM at the NAMI Wood County Office (541 West Wooster, Bowling Green.) Developed by individuals recovering from mental illness, the course helps participants design their own plan for staying well and preventing relapse. For more information or to register, call NAMI Wood County at 419-352- 0626 or go online at www.namiwoodcounty.org.
Designated a best practice program by the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, WRAP has been taught all over the nation. Though not a treatment in itself, the class can complement whatever therapies participants are already involved in. WRAP students write their own action plan for maintaining well-being. The plan identifies the wellness tools that help them most. It helps them notice when they are losing their psychological balance and develop a plan for getting back on track. Crisis planning and sketching advanced directives for times of extreme distress are involved as well. WRAP is also available in a one-to- one format.
For more information on WRAP and NAMI’s many other courses and support groups, call 419-352- 0626 or go online at www.namiwoodcounty.org
NAMI Basics for parents
One in four American families has a member with a mental illness (National Institute on Mental Health.) When that member is a child, families face unique challenges. They must live with their child’s symptoms, find help, and deal with school peers and teachers who may not understand what their child is going through.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Wood County is once again offering a free course to help parents help children with mental illness. NAMI Basics, which will begin September 14 at 6:15 in the NAMI Wood County office (541 West Wooster, Bowling Green) is for all parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with a mental illness. The six-week course shares critical information about major mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, bi-polar disorder, and schizophrenia.
It presents the latest research on these brain disorders and current treatments, including medications and their side effects.
Taught by trained facilitators who have themselves cared for children diagnosed with mental illness, NAMI Basics covers the fundamentals of caring for child, family, and self. It shows parents how to navigate the mental health system and work with schools and the juvenile justice system to get the best results for their children. Weekly sessions use presentations and group exercises, and allow participants share their own daily challenges and successes with each other.
For more information on NAMI Wood County’s classes and support groups, call 419-352- 0626 or go online at www.namiwoodcounty.org.
