NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program
Overview
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.
Course content
- Information about Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Bipolar Illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and co-occurring Brain Disorders and Addictive Disorders.
- Coping skills; handling crisis and relapse.
- Listening and communication techniques.
- Problem solving and limit setting; rehabilitation.
- Understanding the actual experience of people suffering from mental illness.
- Self-care; learning how to recognize normal emotional reactions among families to chronic worry and stress.
- Basic information about medications and their side effects.
- Information about connecting with appropriate community services and comniunity supports.
- Advocacy: Getting better services, fighting discrimination.
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-Cornpulsive 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, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Class size will vary from 10 to 20 family members. Courses are held in Franklin in the Spring and Fall at High St. Methodist Church.
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is free. It is sponsored by NAMI as a community service for families in Franklin and the Western Tidewater area.
Should you take the Family to Family Course?
See what others have to say about the value of the course.
Should You Take a NAMI Family-to-Family Course? A Doctor's Perspective
Family-to-Family from a Father's Point of View
Family-to-Family Through the Eyes of a Consumer Family Member Teacher
A Consumer Speaks Out
To contact someone for more information about NAMI - Western Tidewater's Family to Family class, click here.