There’s a program coming to Wilton to help support families, partners, friends and significant others of adults living with mental illness.
Administered by the local chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this program is called “Family-to-Family,” and is a free, 12-session education program designed to help all family members understand and support their loved one living with mental illness, while maintaining their own well-being.
The course includes information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions. The program is taught by trained teachers who are also family members and know what it is like to have a loved one living with mental illness.
Thousands of families who have participated in the program around the country have described the program as life-changing. [see video below]
NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides critical information and strategies for taking care of the family member living with mental illness, but participants will also find out that they’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope.
The group setting of NAMI Family-to-Family provides mutual support and shared positive impact—group members can experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand the situation, and help others through their own experience. In the program, participants will learn about:
- How to manage crises, solve problems and communicate effectively
- Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
- Developing the confidence and stamina to provide support with compassion
- Finding and using local supports and services
- Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
- Current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects
- The impact of mental illness on the entire family
There are programs being offered in communities around Fairfield County. The Wilton course begins Monday, March 14 from 6:30–9:00 p.m.. It will be held at the Westport Day School, 372 Danbury Rd. in Wilton.
To register and for more information contact Janet at 914.527.2994 or Marietta at 203.329.8633.
NAMI Southwest CT is an active affiliate of the state and national NAMI organizations, providing support, education and advocacy to families affected by mental illness, and serves families and individuals in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Westport, Weston, Wilton and other communities in Fairfield County. We are affiliated with the State and National NAMI organizations.
