COURSE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Morris County Affiliate, the local organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will offer its next Family-to-Family Education Program starting Sept. 7.

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free 12-session education program for family caregivers of adults and children living with mental illness. It will be held on Wednesdays, 7:30-10 p.m., at the CARES Office at 25 West Main St. in Rockaway Borough.

The course provides a broad perspective that will help parents, spouses, siblings and adult children better understand and support loved ones living with mental illness, while taking care of their own needs.

"Mental illness does not involve just one person," said Pamela Garanger, program co-leader. "Entire families are affected. NAMI offers help and hope to families. People who take the course describe it as life-changing. It is taught by trained family caregivers who themselves have loved ones living with mental illness. They know first-hand what families face."

The program will cover topics such as: family response to mental illness; biology of the brain and scientific advancements; mental illnesses: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, post traumatic disorder; obsessive compulsive disorder; borderline personality disorder; co-occurring brain and addictive disorders; medication overview, communication skills, self-care, advocacy, fighting stigma and understanding the inner experience of having mental illness.

For more information or to register for the course, call Pamela at 973-945-7386 or Steve at 973-727-1173.