LONDONDERRY — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Vermont Family-to-Family Education Program will offer a free class for family members and friends of individuals living with mental illness.
The 12-week class will be held in Londonderry on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. starting on Sept. 24.
The course is designed specifically for parents, siblings, spouses, teenage and adult children, and significant others of persons with severe mental illness. It is designed to help families and friends of individuals with mental illness understand and support their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being.
This course includes:
• Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring mental health and addiction conditions.
• Up-to-date information about treatment, wellness and recovery, including: medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence or reduction, mindfulness and whole health modalities, and other psychosocial options.
• Current research related to mental health conditions and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery.
• Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness.
• Learning in special workshops for problem solving, listening, and communication techniques.
• Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse.
• Focusing on care for the caregiver: coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload.
• Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community.
• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services.