ABOUT  MENTAL ILLNESS   

             Statistics  show  that  one  in  four  individuals  is diagnosed with a mental illness.   Mental illness is more  common  than  multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy,  cystic fibrosis,  Alzheimer's  disease, leukemia  and  many  more widely  known  and   supported illnesses.

            One-fourth of the homeless population is people with a mental illness with nowhere to go.    Mental illnesses strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.    Mental illness can strike anyone at any time. These are equal opportunity diseases, occurring in all cultures, races, socioeconomic classes and ages.    Between 40 to 60 percent of all people diagnosed with a mental illness are living at home with their families without adequate services.    The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective. Between 70 and 90 percent of individual have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness

 

 

    WE WANT TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS   

 

 

             The National Alliance on Mental Illness, ( NAMI), offers support and resources for people in the community affected by mental illness.   It is a "no-fault"brain disease.    It should be viewed and treated  in  the  same  manner  diseases  like  cancer and  diabetes are treated."   Unfortunately, it is not.   That's  why we want to encourage families impacted by mental illness to know about our organization and upcoming series of classes.

         NAMI  offers a FREE 12-week program for family members and/or caregivers of close relatives with bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, panic disorder, obsessive /compulsive disorder, co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders, and borderline personality disorder and Post Tramatic Stress Disorder..

The Family to Family Education Program is structured  to help family members understand and provide support  to their ill relative while maintaining their own  well-being.    

Mental illness is a major challenge for the family.    Psychiatrists and mental health professionals tend to focus on the needs of the ill person. The Family-to-Family Education Program is sensitive to the needs of the whole family. Trained family members who've had similar experiences with a family member's mental illness, teach the course.

            Some comments from families who have taken the course: "If you are involved with a mentally ill person on a day-to-day basis, it is important to know all you can. Not only is it hard for the person with the illness, it's hard on everyone involved. I highly recommend the course for anybody who has a mentally ill loved one.  I have learned a great deal about brain disorders and about myself.   I realized that our child is not just being bad but that she really is sick. It helps to know that we aren't alone in dealing with this.   I now understand why professionals have a hard time with diagnosis and medication adjustments."

 

            The class is  taught by trained  family members who volunteer and who understand what it is like to have   a loved one with a serious mental illness.This program  gives the family some of their power back. It helps teach people it's a no-fault disease. Parents haven't done anything to their child.  It's genetic.  It teaches them what's in their control, when to back off and when to be more involved."

             More than 50,000 family members in the United States and Canada have completed this course and it makes a big difference in their lives and that of their loved ones.     You walk away feeling there is hope,  "You have a   better understanding of what mental illness is.   This teaches you how to manage the system and advocate for your loved one effectively."

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             Families will learn communication skills, problem solving and ways to set limits.  For information and to register for this free course, call 1- 618-524-5628.   Or you may request more information by sending email to namimetropolis@yahoo.com. These classes fill up very quickly. Class size is limited!  SO CALL EARLY!

 

  These classes are not appropiate for persons diagnosed with a mental illness.  

NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE!

 

 

    WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THIS CLASS?   

 

                FTF  gives the family some of their power back.  It helps teach people it's a no-fault disease.    It's genetic.

It teaches them what's in their  control, when to back off and when to be more involved."

 

 

 

NAMI Metropolis/Southernmost Illinois, funded by Massac County United Way, is sponsoring this course.

 

Judy Kruger,  President NAMI Metropolis / Southernmost Illinois

 

For Registration and Information/ 618-524-5628

All information is strictly confidential at all times.