Family education classes to focus on mental illness

YOUNGSTOWN — The National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Mahoning Valley, is conducting the 2010 spring session of its Family-to-Family Education Classes, which detail many aspects of living with a person with mental Illness.

The Family-to-Family Education program is sponsored by NAMI Ohio and is funded locally by the Mahoning County Mental Health Board. These classes are structured to help family members understand and support their ill relative while maintaining their own well-being.

The course includes a variety of topics such as definitions of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc; brain biology and causes of brain disorders; medications and treatment; communications; rehabilitation and recovery and more. Trained NAMI family members teach this nationally recognized curriculum.

The series of 12 weekly classes will begin Feb. 1 and run through April 19 from 6:30-9 p.m. each Monday at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane. There is no cost for family members.

Classes are limited to the first 22 people who register, and additional names will be added to the waiting list for the next session.

Registration is required. Call (330) 540-8583 for information and/or registration applications.

Following is an outline of the class curriculum:

•Class 1: Introduction.

•Class 2: Schizophrenia, major depression, mania schizoaffective disorder.

•Class 3: Mood and anxiety disorders.

•Class 4: Basics about the brain.

•Class 5: Problem-solving skills workshop.

•Class 6: Medication review.

•Class 7: Inside mental illness.

•Cass 8: Communication skills workshop.

•Class 9: Self-care.

•Class 10: The vision and potential of recovery.

•Class 11: Advocacy.

•Class 12: Review, sharing and evaluation.