NAMI's Free Courses Offer Support for Families

Because one in five families copes with severe mental illness of a family member, the National Alliance on Mental Illness—Metropolitan Baltimore is holding a free series of courses this fall.

Family to Family Education course will be held beginning on either Sept. 5, Sept. 20, or Sept. 25, according to a news release.

Trained, volunteer family members teach the 12-week courses that help families cope with a loved one's mental illness, it states.

Spaces are limited, so if you're interested, call to register at the NAMI office, 410-435-2600.

Following are the course dates and locations.

Wednesdays, Sept. 5 to Nov. 21: 7-9:30 p.m. at Govans Boundary United Methodist Church, 5210 York Rd., in the Winston area of Baltimore.

Thursdays, Sept. 20 to Dec. 13: 7-9:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 3911 Garrison Blvd. in the Dorchester area of Baltimore.

The course covers the following:

• Clinical treatment of major mental illnesses such as: schizophrenia, mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depression), anxiety disorders and more.
• Coping skills: handling crisis and relapse, communications skills, problem-solving skills, and self-care around worry and stress.

NAMI-Metropolitan Baltimore is a support, education and advocacy organization serving individuals living with mental illness and their family members and loved ones, the release states.

It offers free support groups, educational programs, a help line, workshops, resources and opportunities to advocate for research and change.

It's an affiliate of NAMI-MD and NAMI.