Family to Family classes focus on various types of mental illness
By Shelly Webb
January 14, 2010
603
Learning to cope with mental illness is not an easy feat, however, learning to cope from those that are in the same situation puts a whole different spin on things. Listening and learning from someone that is walking in your shoes changes the dynamics and levels the playing field.
Esther Hawkins, public relations and education coordinator for the Wayne Holmes Mental Health Coalition (WHMHC), is excited to announce a series of classes that do just that. The classes are currently being held at the Stanley R. Slater Building (1273 Lincoln Way West, Wooster-- next to House of Iron Gym) and will help families and friends of individuals dealing with mental illness better understand and cope with their circumstances. Classes meet on Tuesday nights, from 7-9 p.m.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family to Family Education Program is a free 12-week course for families and friends of individuals with brain disorders called serious mental illness. According to Hawkins, many different topics will be addressed.
Some topics that will be addressed include: schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar subtypes; panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder just to name a few, Hawkins said. I think these classes will be especially helpful because they are being taught and facilitated by trained family members who are dealing with mental illness issues on a day-to-day basis.
Although mental illness is a wide spectrum with many different symptoms, Hawkins said the feelings shared by family members are all the same.
We as family members all have the same feelings, she said. Whether were coping with a loved one that is dealing with depression, bi-polar, autism or any other form of mental illness we feel the same way, have the same worries, fears and questions. Coming together and learning from people that are facing the same feelings as we are makes a difference.
According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health, it is estimated that nearly two million Ohioans will need mental health services during their lives for problems ranging from situational stress to severe and chronic mental illness. Last year, Ohios public mental health system provided care to more than 300,000 people, including 100,000 children. Mental illness is not a disease that society can ignore. It is one that we all need to be more aware of and more willing to learn about.
Hawkins said the classes being offered will focus on family members and is geared toward people that love people with mental illness so the benefits and rewards will be great. Many resources will be discussed as well, giving people information about what kind of help is available and on what levels.
The class manual that each person will receive is a tremendous resource in itself, Hawkins added. Its just full of information and knowledge that will be very valuable to those attending.
There is still time to register for these very helpful and important classes but that timeline is narrowing. For more information, call 330-264-1590 or e-mail: coalition@mhealthsupport.org.
The Wayne Holmes Mental Health Coalition is a nonprofit agency comprised of the local chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Advocates for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Our mission is to promote recovery and improve the quality of life for persons with mental health issues through advocacy, education and support, Hawkins added. That is a big part of these and other classes we offer throughout the year.
The organization will continue focusing on these areas and providing a voice for mental illness. Anyone in the Wayne or Holmes area that would like more information about the coalition or resources available is encouraged to contact the WHMHC.
