Free NAMI Basics course for parents
By Beth Ranagan
GUILFORD — If you are a parent, foster parent, grandparent or other relative providing primary care to a child up to 18 with an emotional or behavioral disorder, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offering the free course, NAMI Basics, that you might find helpful. Classes begin Thursday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and run for six consecutive Thursdays through Nov. 3 at the Guilford Memorial Library.
These empowering classes are based on the trauma model of education fostering healing and consciousness raising. Participants find support within the class community as well as learning a wealth of information. Course topics include the biology of mental health disorders, getting an accurate diagnosis, treatment options, communication skills, tips for handling difficult behavior, crisis preparation and response, the mental health system services, the juvenile justice system, the school system services and advocacy. Class activities will include role play, lecture, storytelling and self-care.
Some of the brain disorders addressed in NAMI Basics are attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, substance abuse disorders and anxiety associated with autism spectrum disorder. Also addressed are the mental health disorders of post-traumatic stress in children, separation anxiety, borderline personality disorder, anorexia, bulimia, reactive attachment disorder and Tourette’s syndrome.
Classes will be taught by Roy Ulrickson, MA, of Dexter and Beth Ranagan, MA, of Sangerville. Both have significant experience teaching children and adolescents and working with families in trauma. Ulrickson is currently employed by NAMI Maine in Augusta as coordinator of the Project Aware Program. Ranagan is president of NAMI Piscataquis County. She teaches classes and facilitates support groups as part of that position.
To register for this free course, call Beth at 924-7903 or Roy at 1-800-464-5767, ext. 2312.