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Family-to-Family is a new concept in education for families and others who are affected by serious mental illness: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, severe anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder including co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders. The course was written by experienced family member and mental health professionals, and is taught by family members who have completed the course and are specially trained to teach the course to others.

The NAMI Family-To-Family Education Program is appropriate for parents, siblings, and significant others of person with severe and persistent mental illness. Individuals who are suffering from one of the major mental illnesses themselves may attend the course if their present condition is stable and they are the primary caregiver of an ill person.

There is no charge for the class, however, registration is required.

Included in the course:

Week One
Learning about normal reactions when mental illness strikes a family

Week Two
Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Mania, Schizoaffective Disorder, getting through a critical period

Week Three
Types and sub types of Depression and Bipolar Disorder, Panic Disorder, and OCD, telling our stories

Week Four
The biology of the brain, research, causes, the biology of recovery

Week Five
Problem solving, setting limits, problem solving skills workshop

Week Six
Medication Review

Week Seven
What it’s like to have a brain disorder, empathy workshop

Week Eight
How illness interferes with the capacity to communicate, communication skills workshop

Week Nine
Self-care, how to balance our lives

Week Ten
Rehabilitation, a first-person account of recovery

Week Eleven
Advocacy, learning how to change the system

Week Twelve
Review and certification ceremony