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Support groups for adults with a psychiatric diagnosis and their family and friends will meet every first Wednesday at the North Shore Health Project Community Center, 67 Middle Street, Gloucester (next to the "Y").  Meetings are 7 to 8:30 p.m.  In case of cancellation due to inclement weather or other emergency, a message will be left the day of the meeting on our Helpline:  978-281-1557, an e-mail will be sent to all members, and notification will be posted here on the Calendar page.

For further information, call 978-281-1557  or e-mail: namicapeann@comcast.net 

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A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS

From the Opposite of Music  ...  "At first Billy's father just seemed distant, as if he had something on his mind. Then he stopped listening to music, saying it hurt his ears. After a while he stopped eating and sleeping. And after that he just stopped. Stopped being Billy's father and his friend and became someone else. Someone who was depressed and withdrawn and wouldn't respond to treatments.

Determined to help their father, Billy and his family devise a series of unconventional therapies for him. But the strain of looking after Dad begins to wear on them all. Billy stops writing songs and starts avoiding his friends. His sister wants to suicide-proof the house. And his mother worries about losing her job because she takes so much time off. Taking care of Dad is starting to sap the strength they need to keep him alive."

The Opposite of Music is a powerful and realistic debut novel about the lengths a family will go to in order to save one of their own, and the strength it takes to learn how to ask for help.

The holiday season can be particularly stressful for people with mental illness and their families. On Thursday, November 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Rockport Library, NAMI Cape Ann is pleased to present Gloucester author Janet Ruth Young reading from her novel "The Opposite of Music," about a family dealing with the father's depression. The reading will be followed by a discussion of holiday tips and strategies for people with mental illness and their families and care givers.

This event is free and open to the public. The Rockport Public Library is located at 17 School Street, Rockport. For more information call 978-281-1557.

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