NAMI Preparing Caregivers Of Children, Adolescents With Behavioral Issues

The Fairfield affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will sponsor a first of its kind NAMI Basics Education Program, specifically for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral health problems or mental illness.

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Its goals are to support those living with mental illness and their loved ones, to provide educational programs to the community that foster understanding and healthy living, and to provide advocacy.

The six-week series of classes is being offered at two locations — in Westport on Tuesdays, beginning, January 13, from 7 to 9:30 pm, at St Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services (formerly Hall-Brooke Hospital), Community Room, 47 Long Lots Road; and in Fairfield on Mondays, beginning March 2, from 7 to 9:30 pm, at the First Church Congregational, Elliot Room, 148 Beach Road.

The course will cover information about ADHD, major depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders; coping skills, such as handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medication use in the treatment of mental illness in children; listening and communication techniques; problem solving skills; and an overview of the mental health and school systems’ roles in treating children and teens with mental illnesses.

The curriculum was written by an experienced family member mental health professional. The course will be taught by two volunteers who are parents of individuals who developed mental illness as children.

“This course is a wonderful experience!” said Rebecca Fletcher, one of the NAMI-certified instructors. “It balances basic psychoeducation and skill training with emotional support, self-care and empowerment. We hope parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral or mental illnesses will take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

The course is free, but preregistration is required. For more information or to register for the class at either location, call Ms Fletcher at 203-259-9779 or email thistleblu@sbcglobal.net.

In related news, NAMI Fairfield’s January Speaker Meeting will take place Wednesday, January 7, and will feature Denise Kearns, DBT program manager at Silver Hill Hospital, New Canaan.

Ms Kearns will provide an overview of DBT — dialectical behavioral therapy. Developed by Dr Marsha Linehan, DBT is becoming the favored therapy for borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, and anxiety-based disorders.

Ms Kearns will outline the components of DBT and explain how they fit together to produce therapeutic results. DBT teaches the skills necessary to regulate emotions, avoid self-destructive behaviors, and improve interpersonal relationships.

The meeting takes place in the Eliot Room Library from 7:30 to 9 pm and is free of charge and open to all. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 203-650-3463.