National Alliance on Mental Illness Burlington County is starting a free class in March. The class, NAMI Basics, is a six-week course for primary caregivers of children and adolescents (22 and younger) living with a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health condition.
It’s often difficult to specify a mental illness diagnosis in youth, so this course is designed for those caretakers of loved ones with behavioral problems or suspected mental health issues, also. ADHD is also included.
Taught by those with a lived experience of caring for someone with mental illness, the program is designed to support the caregivers and provide understanding, compassion, reinforcement and empathy from people who truly know the caregiver’s situation. Caring for a child with mental illness can be a very isolating situation and the course shows the caregiver that they are not alone, recovery is a journey and there is hope.
Course content includes: Information on the different mental health disorders, and the biology of mental illness. The most effective treatments presently available are discussed. Also, problem solving and communication skills that will help all family members to better assist their loved one. Information about schools and the mental health system are furnished. Learning how to advocate for your loved one within these systems is presented too. Importantly, planning for a crisis and how to locate community support systems and services is included in the curriculum. Juvenile justice is discussed also.
The class will start March 3 and last for six weeks, ending April 7. Classes will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (101 Bridgeboro Rd., Moorestown).
For more information, visit NAMINJ.org/Support/Affiliates/Burlington. To register, contact NAMI Burlington County at (856) 222-9400 or email NAMIBasicsBurlingtonCountyNJ@gmail.com.
Class size is limited to 20 participants. If you have any questions, contact NAMI Burlington County at the phone number or email listed.
