NAMI Basics • About

NAMI MC is offering a new class for parents/guardians of children and adolescents with mental illness. The NAMI Basics Education Course is for parents and caregivers of children or adolescents who have been diagnosed with mental illness. Based on the model of the Family-to-Family course NAMI Basics focuses on practical information for those coping with the diagnosis and illness of a loved one under the age of 18.

The class provides education and support to families and is based on the model used in NAMI’s signature Family to Family class.

NAMI Basics • Details

• The course is taught by trained parents - people like you who are coping daily with mental illness in their families.
• 6 week course, 2 hours per week
• NAMI Basics is offered multiple times a year throughout the county
• Available in English only at this time
• All course materials are FREE to participants
• Meet other family members who understand
• Confidential Setting

NAMI Basics • Course Topics

The course topics include:

• The trauma of mental illness for the child and the family;
• The biology of mental illness and getting an accurate diagnosis;
• An overview of treatment options;
• The impact of a child’s mental illness on the rest of the family (caregivers and siblings);
• Crisis planning and organizational systems;
• An overview of the systems involved in caring for children and teens with mental illness (schools, mental health, juvenile justice, etc.)

NAMI Basics • Participant Comments

• I sought help, because, I was not coping well with the challenges associated with my mentally ill child. I felt that I required a greater skill set, and a support group. I entered the basics group and I was grateful, from the beginning. Many tools were offered to me. The program demonstrated ways that I could encounter, my childs behavior and protect both of us. It dispelled many misconceptions I had about mental illness and it let me hear from other parents with similar and with far greater challanges. The program also supplied me with multiple written resources, on medical issues, on care management issues and on coping skill. I am greatful that it is available and I think that it is well advised, for any parent who is taking care of a mentally ill child.
• The NAMI Basic Class is an exceptional class which offerred me the tools, laws and techniques to help my daughter. The two instructors, who are members of NAMI, presented the material clearly, with examples (which included some from their own experiences) and with great sensitivity to the subject. In addition, this course has given me valuable advice and support by interacting with the other members in class. This class is truly one of the best courses that I have taken for fundamental mental health resources, policies and guidelines, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a child with mental disorder. NAMI is truly a wonderful and worthwhile organization.