NAMI is offering two free family educational programs

Register now for NAMI Basics Education Program or NAMI Family to Family Education Program starting Oct. 10.

NAMI-Kane South, DeKalb and Kendall, an affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness, is offering two free family educational programs starting in October. Registration is required for either class. Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative in St. Charles is co-sponsoring the NAMI Basics Education Program. These courses are taught by trained NAMI volunteers and there is no cost to participate. Child care will be provided for the Basics Class.

• NAMI Basics is for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents (up to age 19) with mental illness. This six-week series of classes will begin in St. Charles on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. It 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.

• NAMI Family to Family classes are provided for family members, friends and significant others of individuals living with major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizophrenia and schizoaffective 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. This 6 week program will begin in Aurora, on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

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. It 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.

For more information and to register for either class, contact the NAMI KDK office at (630) 896-6264 or email to education@namikdk.org.