Coping with mentally ill

Coping with mentally ill

YOUNGSTOWN — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mahoning Valley is offering its family-to-family education classes from Sept. 8 through Nov. 24 at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane. The classes, which detail many aspects of living with a person with mental illness, are from 7 to 9:30 p.m. each Monday. There is no cost for family members of persons with mental illness. Classes are limited to the first 22 people who register. Additional names will be added to the waiting list for the next session. Registration is required. Call Dianna at (330) 540-8583 or Mary Jo at (330) 584-9213.

Topics for the classes, sponsored by NAMI and the Mahoning County Mental Health Board and taught by trained members of families living with mental illness, include: Definitions of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other conditions; brain biology and causes of brain disorders; medications and treatment; communications; rehabilitation and recovery.

Goodwill needs volunteers

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries is seeking volunteers to be trained to help screen preschool children in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties as part of the organization’s Amblyopia Vision Screen Program. Amblyopia, commonly know as “lazy eye,” is reduced vision in an eye that appears normal but was not used to achieve detailed vision during development, resulting in low vision. If not treated early enough, an amblyopic eye may never develop good vision and may become functionally blind.

Of the 2,207 children screened through the program in the last school year, 344 were referred to their doctor for eye exams and 56 needed glasses or medical treatment.

The training session at the Goodwill facility, 2747 Belmont Ave., on Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be conducted by Dr. Jack Safier. For additional information on amblyopia, volunteering, or attending the training session contact Nancy Chambers, amblyopia coordinator, Tuesday or Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at (330) 759-7921 ext. 203.

Canned goods for tickets

YOUNGSTOWN — Bring two non-perishable food items and get in free to watch the Mahoning Valley Scrappers go to bat against the State College Spikes next Sunday. Gates open at 5 p.m. and game starts at 6:05 p.m. There will a post-game fireworks show.

Patrons should take their food items to the Second Harvest Food Bank truck outside the main gate where volunteers will accept the donations and provide a voucher that can be redeemed at the Scrapper’s box office for a free ticket to that night’s game.

Stroke risk screening

POLAND — Area residents can be screened by Life Line Screening for stroke risk factors on Wednesday at Poland United Methodist Church, 1940 Boardman Poland Road. Appointments begin at 9 a.m. For cost information and to schedule an appointment, call (877) 237-1287.

Hospital honored

WARREN — The American Heart and American Stroke Associations have recognized Trumbull Memorial Hospital for its performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients using the association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM program.

Breast cancer screenings

The MammoVan, a mobile mammography unit, is offering breast cancer screenings on Monday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the YWCA, 25 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown; and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday at the ACOP Center, 2051 Niles Road, Warren.

Financial assistance for the screening may be available for eligible women who qualify. Free transportation to appointments for mammograms, breast cancer diagnostic testing, treatment, and follow-up care at local health care providers may also be available.

Call Patricia Phillips at (330) 746-6361 for eligibility requirements and to schedule an appointment for a mammogram. Walk-ins welcome too.

Health night for women

BOARDMAN — On Sept. 17, the St. Elizabeth Health Center Breast Care Advisory Board is offering Women’s Health Night from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the radiology department at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, 8401 Market St.

The event offers a free health screening and mammogram for women age 40 and over who are uninsured or under-insured and who do not have a history of breast cancer.

The screening will include a health history assessment, blood pressure screening, breast exam and a free mammogram.

The number of screenings is limited.

Patients should pre-register by calling Humility of Mary Healthline at (330) 480-3151 or (877) 700-4647. The registration deadline is Sept. 10.

Local makes donation

YOUNGSTOWN — Professional E.M.T.’s Paramedics Local, a division of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, has donated $3,500 to Akron Children’s Emergency room at St. Elizabeth Health Center, 1044 Belmont Ave.

The gift represents the proceeds of Local 4’s 10th annual J.B. DeSaulles golf outing in 2007.