One Really Good Idea

"If anybody ever asked me, 'Did you ever have one really good idea in your life', I would say 'Yes, I had one really good idea'. And that was I was going to trust family members to be teachers of other family members." Seventeen years ago, Joyce Burland's one good idea led her to create NAMI's Family-to-Family education program.

At NAMI's 2007 Convention in June, Dr. Burland spoke with Robin Cunningham, a blogger for the HealthCentral network. In the interview, she talked about her own experience as a family member, and how her outrage at the mental health system led her to develop the groundbreaking course that now reaches 15,000 people a year.

During August and September, free 12-week Family-to-Family classes will once again start up all across the U.S. Read the full interview with Joyce Burland online, and find the class nearest you. Read more...

Making the Education System Work for Your Child

The start of a new school year is both an exciting and stressful experience, for children and parents alike. But the stress is compounded when a child is living with a mental illness. Trying to get what your child needs from the schools can often seem overwhelming and difficult.

This article, adapted from the book Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD, offers practical insight into the accommodations and services that schools are required to offer by law for children with ADHD and other mental illnesses. It also provides suggestions for how to creation an action plan for your child, and what to do when you are not satisfied with the results. Read more...

Missing Persons Support

NAMI has prepared a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on what to do when your loved one with mental illness is missing, and ways you can provide support once the person is located. There is also an online discussion group where you can ask questions and share support. Read more...

NAMI Bookshelf

In this month's reviews: a revised and updated edition of I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help and the latest books a series of first-hand accounts of teenage experiences with mental illnesses. Read more...

Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day 2007

From October 7 - 13, 2007, NAMI will be promoting Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) as part of our ongoing effort to raise awareness of mental illness. One major component of MIAW is Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day, slated for October 11. NAMI's medical director Ken Duckworth talks about the importance this nationwide observance, and how to take action in your community. Read more...