NAMI to host Family to Family at St. Paul

The National Alliance on Mental Illness will host its free course, Family-to-Family, at St. Paul this fall. It will be on Thursdays, September 1— November 17, from 6-8:30 pm.

Family to Family is a 12-session education program for families, partners, friends, and significant others who have a loved one living with a mental health condition.

Vicki Walters is the coordinator.

“I am the adult child of a mom with mental illness,” she said. “I took this class in 2004 with my aunt, and I tell ya, everything came together for me. What’s really awesome is being together with others who are experiencing similar circumstances.”

The course is designed to help all family members understand and support their loved one living with a mental health condition while maintaining their own well-being. The course includes information on subtypes of mental illness, biology of the brain, communication and problem-solving workshops, empathy and self-care.

Family to Family is often described as life-changing, organizers say. It is taught by trained teachers who are also family members who know what it is like to have a loved one living with a mental health condition. All course materials furnished at no cost.

Registration deadline is August 19. Call 563-322-8870 or email coordinator@namigmv.org.