National Alliance on Mental Illness affiliate in Albany offering family education program

ALBANY — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) area affiliate, NAMI Albany, is offering the NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program in Albany beginning on Jan. 12.

This program is offered by NAMI Albany once each year. The class will meet weekly on Monday evenings from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m, and is open to family members and close friends who have a loved one living with mental illness. Coordinators say it is a free 12-session course taught by other family members who have received intensive training for its presentation.

“Family members gain strength from the factual information of the program and also from mutual support of other course participants. Local graduates have described Family-to-Family as a lifesaver,” said Jere Brands, president of NAMI Albany and one of six area NAMI family members certified to teach the course. “Our message to family members is: You are not alone. Resources and support are available.”

Class topics include:

— Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders;

— Up-to-date information about medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence;

— Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and evidence-based treatments to promote recovery;

— Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness;

— Problem solving, listening and communication techniques;

— Acquiring strategies for handling mental health crises and relapse;

— Focusing on care for the caregiver;

— Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community;

— Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand mental health services.

NAMI Albany will again be offering Peer-to-Peer, an education program focused on maintaining recovery, later on in the year. Open to adults who live with a mental illness, the course content is parallel to Family-to-Family and it will be offered free of charge, officials say.

In 2013, the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program was added to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). NREPP is a searchable online database intended to help people learn more about available evidence-based programs and practices and determine which may best meet their needs.

NAMI is a grassroots mental health organization meant to build better lives for Americans affected by mental illness by advocating for access to services, treatment, support, research and raising awareness and building a community of hope.

Instruction and course materials are provided free to class participants. Those interested in participating in the course should contact Pam Barfield at (229) 343-8791 or by email at [email protected]. Those who wish to find out more about NAMI and mental illness can visit www.nami.org.