LAWRENCE: Course for people with mental illness

NAMI Mercer is accepting registrations for Family-to-Family, a free, 12-week education course for adult family members of persons living with mental illness.

   NAMI Mercer is accepting registrations for Family-to-Family, a free, 12-week education course for adult family members of persons living with mental illness.
   Tuesday evening classes from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. will begin March 25 at Trinity United Methodist Church at 1985 Pennington Road in Ewing. The free class is offered by NAMI Mercer in partnership with the church congregation.
   NAMI Mercer and the Trinity United Methodist Church congregation encourage anyone to attend who has a family member with mental illness.
   Family-to-Family was developed in 1990 by Joyce Burland, who is a NAMI family member. Since then, more than 300,000 people around the country have graduated from the program, which is taught by trained volunteers who have experienced mental illness in their own families.
   The course was designated by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) in 2013 as an evidence-based practice that has been demonstrated as effective in reducing stress and increasing coping skills for family members of people with mental illness.
   By attending this program, family members have the opportunity to meet others like themselves in a confidential setting. They learn how to cope with the stress of care giving and how best to advocate for their loved ones.
   The curriculum covers the biology of brain disorders, recent developments in brain research related to mental illness, and the latest medication and treatment options.
   The Family-to-Family program is free, but registration is required. For more information, contact NAMI Mercer at 609-799-8994 or [email protected].