About NAMI Family-to-Family

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.

NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises.

In the program, you'll learn about:

• How to solve problems and communicate effectively

• Taking care of yourself and managing your stress

• Supporting your loved one with compassion

• Finding and using local supports and services

• Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain

• How to handle a crisis

• Current treatments and therapies

• The impact of mental health conditions on the entire family

Please contact Bonnie

scrump1999@gmail.com

for more information and to register

Class Agenda:

I. About NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

• What is NAMI

• NAMI Education Program Belief System and Principles

II. Introduction to Mental Health

• Mental Health Conditions

• Cultural Considerations

• Warning Signs of Mental Health Conditions

• Understanding Symptoms of Mental Health Conditions as a Double-Edged Sword

• Predictable Stages of Emotional Reaction among Family Members

• Understanding Trauma

• Secondary traumas for Families

III. Mental Health Conditions & Diagnoses

• Anxiety Disorders

• Depressive Disorder

• Bipolar Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Schizophrenia

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

• Psychosis

• Dual Diagnosis

• The Biology of Mental Health Conditions

IV. Communication Strategies

• Offering Empathy

• Basic Communication Guidelines

• I-Statements

• Reflective Responses

V. Treatment & Recovery

• Bio-Psycho-Social Dimensions of Mental Health Conditions

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• Therapeutic Intervention Techniques

• Treatment settings

• Psychotherapeutic Interventions

• Intensive Home and Community-Based Interventions

• Complementary Health Approaches

• Medications & How They Work

• Common Emotional Experiences that Affect Treatment Decisions

• Supporting Your Loved One During Treatment

VI. Crisis Planning

• Universal Warning Signs of Relapse

• Crisis Planning

• Calling 911 and Talking with Police

• Mental Health Myths & Facts

• Suicide Myths & Facts

• Warning Signs That Your Loved One May Be Thinking about Suicide

• Preventing Suicide through Communication

• Take Warning Signs of Suicide Seriously

• Guidelines to Help De-Escalate a Crisis

• Crisis Plan

• Relapse Plan

VII. Support for Family Members & Friends

• Self-Care for Family Members

• Life Challenges for Family Members and Caregivers

• Principles of Living a Balanced Life

• Diaphragmatic breathing

• Setting Limits

• Letting Go

VIII. NAMI Resources

• NAMI Programs

• NAMI Support Groups

• NAMI Presentations

• NAMI Classes

• Never Lose Hope!

• References