Public invited to develop own Wellness Recovery Action Plans

NAMI office in Bowling Green.

(Submitted by NAMI)

Cultivate a mental health action plan with us. The Wellness Recovery Action Plan or WRAP, is a free educational course, for adults with a mental health condition, that helps to develop a self-designed prevention and wellness strategy. It does not replace traditional treatments, but can be used as a compliment to any other treatment options.

The WRAP class will be offered through NAMI Wood County Thursday, Feb. 21, and Friday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. located at 541 W. Wooster St. on the second Floor. Individuals design their own WRAP program in practical, realistic terms, and it holds the key to getting and staying well. Through this course, individuals will learn to decrease and prevent intrusive or troubling feelings and behaviors, increase personal empowerment and improve overall quality of life. The course will guide individuals through the process of developing a Crisis Plan. This kind of proactive advanced planning keeps them in control, even when it seems like things are out of control. It will introduce individuals to Post Crisis Planning so if there has just been through a crisis, the Post Crisis Plan guides to healing.

WRAP is studied significantly in rigorous research projects and is listed in the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. WRAP was developed by a group of people who experience mental health and other health and lifestyle challenges. It is now used by people in all kinds of circumstances, and by health care and mental health systems all over the world, to address all kinds of physical, mental health and life issues.

Mary Ellen Copeland. PhD stated, “When the group developed WRAP, I was so impressed that I went home and wrote one for myself.  As I began to live WRAP, my life changed dramatically.  Over time I felt better and better and better.  WRAP is a way of life for me—a great life.”

WRAP consists of five key recovery concepts that provide the foundation of effective recovery work. These are hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy and support. Learn more about these components by attending the next class.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Wood County provides help and hope by offering free educational programing, support groups, along with fundraising and awareness events. It is a grass roots organization open to people of all ages in the Wood County communities. For more information visit www.facebook.com/namiwoodcounty or www.namiwoodcounty.org. Please register for the WRAP Class online, via email info@namiwoodcounty.org or by phone 419.352.0626.