NAMI to hold education program starting March 9

NAMI Kane-south, DeKalb & Kendall Counties, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will sponsor the NAMI Basics Education Program, specifically for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness. The six-week series of classes will begin from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, at the Gateway Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center, 400 Mercy Lane in Aurora.

The course will cover information about ADHD, major depression, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders; coping skills such as handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medication use in the treatment of mental illness in children; listening and communication techniques; problem solving skills; and an overview of the mental health and school systems' roles in treating children with mental illness.

The curriculum was written by an experienced family member mental health professional. The course will be taught by two volunteers who are parents or other caregivers of individuals who developed mental illness as children. These volunteers have taken an extensive training as course instructors.

"This course is a wonderful experience!," says Carol Klopp, an instructor of this class. "It balances basic psycho education and skill training with emotional support, self-care and empowerment. We hope parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness will take advantage of this unique opportunity."

For information or to register for this class, contact the NAMI KDK office at (630) 896-6264 or email to education@namidkk.org. Visit www.namikdk.org.