Peer-to-Peer Class Topic List

Each class contains a combination of lecture and interactive exercise material and closes with Mindfulness Practice (techniques offered to develop and expand awareness). Each class builds on the one before: attendance each week is strongly recommended.

Week One

Welcome
Introductions
Course orientation
Questions and answers

Week Two

Icebreaker
Group ground rules
Discussion on course values
Mental illnesses as traumatic experiences
Consumer stages of recovery
Stigma
Culture
Mindfullness

Week Three

"Its not my fault" - mental illnesses as no-blame disorders
Brain biology and research
The challenges and benefits of medication
Relapse prevention
Creative visualization
Mindfulness

Week Four

Story Telling - sharing of personal experiences
Mindfulness

Week Five

Information and discussion about:
Schizophrenia
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Schizoaffective Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder

Relapse prevention continued
Accounts of wisdom and strength
Mindfulness

Week Six

Information and discussions about:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Dual Diagnosis

Relapse prevention continued
Substance abuse and addiction
The role of acceptance in recovery
Mindfulness

Week Seven

Understanding emotions
Complete relapse prevention
Focusing on experiences of joy
Spirituality
Physical health and mental health
Mindfulness

Week Eight

Suicide and prevention
Coming out of isolation
Mental illness and disclosure
Take-home tool for making difficult choices
Surviving a hospital stay
Advance Directive for Mental Healthcare Decision Making

Week Nine

Guest Speaker
Hot buttons and triggers
Working with providers
Advance Directive continued
Incarceration - survival and preparedness
Mindfulness

Week Ten

Another look at consumer stages of recovery
Empowerment
Advocacy
Opportunities for involvement in NAMI
Mindfulness
Evaluations
Celebration

Click here for course schedule and enrollment information.