NAMI offering 12-week classes for friends and family

Register now for the NAMI Family to Family 12-week Education Classes. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grass-roots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Classes are provided for family members, friends and significant others of individuals living with major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder, panic disorder and obsessive, compulsive disorder, co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders.

Classes are structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well-being.

These courses are taught by trained NAMI volunteers and there is no cost to participate. Some of the topics that will be covered include "Brain Biology," "Symptoms and Subtypes," "Problem Solving and Self Care."

The classes are free for friends, family members, and significant others of adults with mental illness.

Classes will be held in Aurora from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Aug. 14, at Presence Mercy Medical Center, 1325 N. Highland Ave. Classes also will be offered in DeKalb from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Aug. 12. Registration is required. Call NAMI DKK office at (630) 896-6264 or email education@namidkk.org. Visit namidkk.org.

NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need. NAMI is the foundation for hundreds of NAMI state organizations, NAMI affiliates and volunteer leaders who work in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs.