Class helps families of the mentally ill

Having a loved one diagnosed with a mental illness can be stressful experience for families.

Often the stigma of mental illness prevents them from discussing their problems with others. And myths created by books and movies like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" still pervade perceptions of treatment even though psychiatric hospitals have changed dramatically since the days when author Ken Kesey published his famous first novel in 1962.

The DuPage County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a free 12-week course called Family to Family designed to provide family members and friends of the mentally ill with information about the illness and treatment, and how to help their mentally ill relative or friend.

The class also provides a forum for people to openly talk about mental illness with others facing similar issues.

Two Family to Family sessions are offered this fall. The first begins Thursday at Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catalpa Lane, Naperville. The second starts Sept. 12 at alliance's Wheaton office, 1403 N. Main St., suite 301.

The classes are free but registration is requested in advance by calling the alliance's office at (630) 752-0066, ext. 210.

Mental illness is not as uncommon as you may think, said Pat Doyle, education program director for National Alliance on Mental Illness of DuPage County. Statistics show that one in four families will be affected by mental illness. That number may sound high, but studies have also shown that 20 percent of adults will be diagnosed at some point in their lifetime as well as 12.5 percent of children and teens.

"That's a huge number," she said.

But that diagnosis does not have to mean the end of the world for those with mental illness or their families.

"We know recovery is possible," Doyle said.

All those teaching the Family to Family classes have had a loved one diagnosed with mental illness. They also know that treatment can help.

As a child, Doyle struggled with her mother's mental illness at a time when such things were never discussed.

"I was very good at keeping the secret," she said. "I thought we were all alone."

It was much later as an adult that Doyle took the Family to Family class and discovered her family was not alone and that many others were facing the same issues.

"Taking a Family to Family class is transformational," she said.

Sue Hedlund, who will be teaching this fall, agreed. After a family member was diagnosed as bipolar, Hedlund took the class a few years ago and it changed her life. The class provided an opportunity to for her to share with others going through the same crisis at a time when she could not talk with many others.

"It was a godsend for me," she said.

But the class is not a support group, Hedlund stressed. However, throughout the 12 weeks, participants will be able to share their own experiences, and they will be given a information for coping with their own feelings. They will also learn ways to help their loved one prevent crisis and live productively.

Doyle said many who go through the class form long-lasting friendships and start their own support groups. Others have become active in the effort to change the public perception of mental illness.

Doyle said when she uses the words brain disorder people are sympathetic, while the words mental illness remain a stigma that frightens people.

"The challenge is that the stigma of it prevents people from finding the resources," she said.

More information about the National Alliance on Mental Illness DuPage and its full range of programs is available by calling the Wheaton office at (630) 752-0066.

If you go ...

What:The National Alliance on Mental Illness of DuPage County will offer two sessions of its 12-week course Family to Family, a free program to provide families and friends of the mentally ill with information about the illness and treatment.

• The first begins Thursday at Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catalpa Lane, Naperville. The second starts Sept. 12 at the alliance's Wheaton office, 1403 N. Main St., suite 301.

The classes are free but registration is requested in advance by calling the alliance office at (630) 752-0066, ext. 210.