BRATTLEBORO — The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont (NAMI Vermont) will be educating and offering support to those with family members who live with a mental health condition with its free Family-to-Family education program.
In addition to helping with the everyday challenges that might be expected to the friends and family of those living with a mental illness, the classes provide up-to-date research surrounding behavioral health.
Classes run for eight weeks and will be offered online via Zoom starting Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. Attendance in all eight weekly classes is expected if you register.
Family-to-Family aims to educate families about a variety of diagnoses such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring mental health and addiction conditions.
The class offers up-to-date information about wellness and recovery, treatment options, whole-health modalities, and other psychosocial options. Not only are participants taught how to empathize and understand the person living with a mental health condition, but they will also learn how to address their own needs, coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload.
Family-to-Family is registered on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) list of evidence-based programs. Registration for the class is required and can be found at namivt.org or by calling 800-639- 6480. This course is offered in part by a grant by the Vermont Department of Mental Health.