NAMI Basics Classes This Fall

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania will be holding a NAMI Basics class this fall - details below!

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Class Dates: Classes start Thursday, Oct. 13 and will meet weekly for six weeks through Thursday, Nov. 17

Class Time: 6:30 p.m - 9 p.m.

Location: NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, 105 Braunlich Drive Suite 200, Pittsburgh PA 15237

To Register: Contact the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania office at 412-366-3788

About NAMI BASICS
Parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness have diverse and complex needs. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment, as well as education and support, is critical for the entire family.

Education and support for families helps them to live the best life possible while managing the trauma that often accompanies the onset of mental illness.

NAMI Basics allows families to connect to one another while learning about mental illness and empowering themselves to overcome new challenges. It provides information families want and need about their child.

What makes the NAMI Basics education program unique?
Taught by parents or other primary caregivers who have lived similar experiences with their own children, NAMI Basics is an educational program that provides learning and practical insights for families. Course elements include:

- The trauma of mental illness for the child and family

- The biology of mental illness: getting an accurate diagnosis

- The latest research on the medical aspects of the illness and advances in treatment

- An overview of treatment options

- The impact of a child's mental illness on the rest of the family - caregivers and siblings

- An overview of the systems involved in caring for children and teens and the importance of record keeping

The course:
- Consists of six different classes, 2 1/2 hours each, offered on a weekly basis

- Is offered free of charge

- Is taught by trained NAMI family members who have children with mental illness

- Follows a structured format covering issues frequently faced by families dealing with a child or teen living with mental illness

Who can attend a NAMI Basics course?
The NAMI Basics course is specifically designed for parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents who are living with mental illness. It is not necessary that the child has received a specific diagnosis. Caregivers who suspect their child is experiencing symptoms of mental illness can also benefit greatly from the course as they begin to navigate the evaluation and treatment process.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

NAMI Basics

NAMI Basics is the new Signature Education Program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or caregiver of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years.

The course consists of six classes, each lasting for 2 ½ hours. Class will be offered weekly. All instruction materials are FREE to participants.

Watch "Understanding Mental Illness in Children" on the NAMI Basics Video page. Videos created by NAMI Minnesota and Twin Cities Public Television.





The goals of NAMI Basics are:

- To give the parent/caregiver the basic information necessary to take the best care possible of their child, their family, and themselves.

- To help the parent/caregiver cope with the impact that mental illness has on the child living with the illness and the entire family.

- To provide tools for the parent/caregiver to use even after completing the program that will assist in making the best decisions possible for the care of the child.

Upcoming NAMI Basics Class Information:

Classes will begin Thursday, March 3. They will be held at the Monroeville United Methodist Church from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania at (412) 366-3788 or email info@namiswpa.org today to learn more and to register for the upcoming class.  Download the NAMI Basics flyer by clicking here.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Introducing...NAMI Basics!

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We are pleased to announce the addition of NAMI Basics to NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania’s signature education programs. NAMI Basics is designed for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness. The course is taught by trained teachers who are the parents of children that developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13.

The course consists of six classes, lasting two and a half hours each. All instruction materials are FREE to participants.

The goals of NAMI Basics are:

* To give the parent/caregiver the basic information necessary to take the best care possible of their child, their family and themselves.

* To help the parent/caregiver cope with the impact that mental illness has on the child and the entire family.

* To provide tools for the parent/caregiver to use after completing the course that will assist in making the best decisions possible for the care of the child.

The course includes current information about mental illnesses; insights into understanding the lived experience of the child diagnosed with the mental illness; current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available; specific skill building classes to learn problem-solving, listening and communication skills; and dealing with the school system, among other topics.

The first class will be held at Monroeville United Methodist Church each Thursday evening beginning March 3 to April 7 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania Associate Director Debbie Ference and NAMI Volunteer Denise Michaels will be teaching the class.

SPACE IS LIMITED. If you are interested in signing up for the class, please call the NAMI office at 412-366-3788 or email dference@namiswpa.org.

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

NAMI Basics

Last weekend NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania's Associate Director Debbie Ference and NAMI volunteer Denise Michaels attended a NAMI Basics training in Philadelphia.

NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years.

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is eager to bring NAMI Basics to the southwestern Pa. region in addition to its other education programs.

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania volunteer Denise Michaels and Associate Director Debbie Ference (front row, far left) at the NAMI Basics training in Philadelphia

NAMI Basics instructor Teri Brister