Education

NAMI provides several forms of education, including Family to Family classes for family members, mentored by family members, Peer to Peer, mentored by by consumers, and In Our Own Voice, presented by consumers to interested groups of all kinds.

Family to Family

Family to Family is a free course intended for family members of those with serious mental illnesses.

Family to Family consist of twelve two hour sessions, one per week.

Information is provided about about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and borderline personality disorder.

Families learn about medications, their side effects, as well as methods for encouraging medication adherence.

Empathy is gained for those living with mental illness.

Problem solving, listening and communication techniques are taught as well as strategies for handling crises and relapse.

Guidance is provided on locating appropriate support within the community.

See Upcoming Events for information about the next Family to Family course being held in Kokomo.

Peer to Peer

Peer to Peer is a free course intended for those with any serious mental illness. It is intended to help attain wellness and achieve recovery.

Peer to Peer consists of ten two hour sessions, one per week.

Participants create a relapse prevention plan.

They learn to recognize warning signs of impending relapse.

Much attention is paid to mindfulness exercises.

Survival skills to work with mental health providers and the general public are taught.

In addition, participants learn how to create a psychiatric advance directive

See Upcoming Events for information about the next Peer to Peer course being held in Kokomo.

In Our Own Voice

In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness is a free program which provides speakers, who are themsleves consumers to interested organizations and groups.

In the presentation, the speaker relates his/her journey with mental illness from the initial "Dark Days", and progressing to "Successes, Hopes, and Dreams".

In Indiana, to arrange for an In Our Own Voice presentation for your group or organization, contact NAMI Indiana at 1-800-677-6442 or 1-317-925-9399