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Family to Family Education Program

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill sponsors a program designed to support families who have relatives with brain disorders (mental illness.) This program is offered in Idaho by the Idaho Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

The education program is a 12-week course for families of individuals with severe brain disorders. The course is taught by trained family members who understand your needs and concerns. All course materials are furnished free.

The curriculum focuses on clinical depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.

Family to Family course topics include:

• Learning about feelings, learning about facts

• Schizophrenia, major depression and mania: diagnosis and dealing with critical periods

• Subtypes of depression and bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder; diagnosis and causes; sharing our stories

• The biology of the brain, new research

• Problem solving workshop

• Medication review

• Empathy workshop – what it’s like to have a brain disorder

• Communication skills workshop

• Self care and relative groups

• Rehabilitation, services available

• Advocacy, fighting stigma

• Review and certification ceremony

Comments from some family members who have taken the course:

“Finally, concrete information about the biological brain disorders. It changed my life.”

“As an engineer, I admit I was skeptical, but it really helped me deal with these problems better… the most logical choice I ever made.”    

“My overall feeling is I wish everyone could take it.”

This is only offered in Couer d' Alene, Boise, Pocatello,Hailey,Idaho Falls and Sandpoint at this time.

Contact Lee Woodland for information at 1-800-572-9940

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