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NAMI offering free course on mental illness
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January 23, 2014 |
by Gini Woodward
Family to Family, a twelve week course for
family and friends of individuals with mental
illness, is being offered by the Far North
Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI). The course, facilitated by
trained family members, will start on Monday,
February 9 in the Panhandle Health classroom in
Bonners Ferry from 6:00-8:30 p.m. All
instruction and course materials are free to
class participants.
The NAMI-sponsored program presents current
information about depression, schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
borderline personality disorder, co-occurring
brain disorders and addictive disorders. Each
class focuses on a subject, including up-to-date
information about medications, understanding the
mentally ill relative, problem solving, and
communication. In addition, family members learn
techniques for self care, strategies for
handling crisis and relapse, and receive
guidance on locating appropriate supports and
services within the community. Finally, family
members are informed about advocacy initiatives
designed to improve and expand services.
Nationwide, over 115,000 family members have
graduated from the Family to Family program. The
program was first offered to Bonner and Boundary
Counties in 2007.
This is the fifth program to be held in Bonners
Ferry. The class is limited in size and fills
quickly. For more information or to register,
please call Gini Woodward 208-267-5638. The
classes will be facilitated by Gini Woodward and
Candi Kelly. To learn more about NAMI, visit
www.nami.org
The local chapter, NAMI Far North, meets the
third Wednesday of each month from 6:00-8:00
p.m. in the Bonner General Health Classroom at
the hospital in Sandpoint. A brief business
meeting is followed by a speaker program and
support groups. Anyone with mental illness
concerns is invited to attend.
NAMI Far North is dedicated to improving the
lives of people affected by mental illness by
providing education, support, and advocacy. |
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