from staff reports



The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill will present a NAMI Basics class at Central United Methodist Church on Tuesday, May 5.

NAMI Basics is one of NAMI National’s Signature programs offered in communities across the nation. It is for parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness.  

The class is also taught by trained parents or other primary caregivers who have lived similar experiences with their own children. It is made up of six different sessions, two and a-half hours each, taught on a weekly basis.  

The classes will be offered on Tuesday nights from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. beginning on May 5 and ending on June 9. It is free of charge and it is not necessary that the child be diagnosed with a specific illness, it can also be for those whose child is experiencing symptoms as they begin to seek evaluation and treatment.  

Topics covered include:  

• The trauma of mental illness for the child and the family

• The biology of mental illness: getting an accurate diagnosis

• The latest research on the medical aspects of the illness and advances in treatment

• An overview of treatment options

• The impact of a child’s mental illness on the rest of the family, caregivers, and siblings

• An overview of the systems involved in caring for children and teens (schools, etc) and the importance of record keeping

This national program was written and put together by Teri Brister, Ph.D., LPC.  She is the Director of NAMI Programs for Young Families at NAMI National. She is originally from Meridian and she will also be one of the instructors for the class in May.

People interested in the class must pre-register because the class size is limited. Call 1-800-357-0388 to register or call (601) 483-4821 for more information.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI has more than 1,100 affiliates in communities across the country who engage in advocacy, research, support, and education. Visit nami.org for more information.