NAMI offering a Family-to-Family course

By Beth Ranagan

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — NAMI Piscataquis County, a local affiliate of NAMI Maine, is offering the Family-to-Family course to begin April 6 at Mayo Regional Hospital from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The 12-week course is free to participants who have family members or friends with serious mental health challenges, such as PTSD, major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, dual diagnosis, or anxiety disorder including OCD and panic disorder.

    Family-to-family is a popular signature course of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Designed in 1990 by psychologist Dr. Joyce Burland, who has a sister and a daughter with schizophrenia, the course is for those who live the experience of having a family member with mental illness. It arose from her own pain and frustration to understand the illness, what to do to help, and how to get care for her loved ones. It is offered in 48 states, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Italy.
    The classes are taught by NAMI-trained teachers who are also family members “living the experience.” Course material is updated regularly as new scientific information becomes available. Class topics include: understanding the characteristics of the illnesses; brain structure and function; medications; communication; self care; recovery; and advocacy. Teaching methods include lecture, storytelling and role-play. During classes, participants can connect with others sharing similar stories in a confidential and supportive environment to realize that they are not alone in this experience. This course is considered by many to be “life changing.”
    The National Alliance on Mental Illness, a grassroots, nonprofit entity, strives through its state organizations and local affiliates to provide support, education, and advocacy for those with mental health challenges and their families. Local affiliate NAMI Piscataquis County provides a monthly support group and educational programs to tri-county residents.
    For more information or course registration, call Beth at 924-7903.