Free NAMI education course helps families, friends
NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties will offer its Family-to-Family Education Program beginning Feb. 1. This program is a free eight-session education program for friends and family members of people living with mental illness.
NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties will offer the Family-to-Family Education Program beginning Feb. 1. This program is a free eight-session education programfor friends and family members of people living with mental illness. It will be held Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. at SpringHaven Counseling Center, 15550 Durstine Road, Dundee. Transportation is available to those who need it in Wayne and Holmes counties.
NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides information and strategies for taking care of a family member, but also participants will get information for themselves. The course helps improve the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition. It helps family members understand and support loved ones living with mental illness while taking care of their own needs.
“When we have a loved one that is dealing with their unique needs, we can get consumed with trying to fix everything. That’s where I was about 20 years ago when I signed up for the F2F class,” one past participant and current teacher said. “I began having panic attacks on my way home from work because I feared what kind of chaos was ensuing at home. How could I help when I was beginning to struggle myself?
“Through the class I was given an abundance of resources and most importantly the knowledge that I was not alone. It was good to finally connect with others that understood. With the tools I was given, I developed a stronger relationship and knowledge of how important self-care is to provide the support my loved one needed. These things are proven to help set our loved one up for success.
“We want to do the most we can for the people we care about. If you are trying to help someone with a mental health issue, this is the class for you. I became a teacher after taking the class because it changed my life forever.”
NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties staff and volunteers work to raise awareness and provide education, advocacy and support group programs for people in the community living with mental illness and their loved ones. NAMI is dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Support for this program is provided in part by United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties. The education series is free, but registration is required. For more information or to register for the course, email or call Dawn at info@namiwayneholmes.org or 330-264-1590.