Rep. Theresa Conroy promotes family-to-family mental health educational program

Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby, urged constituents who care for family members with mental illness to consider attending the upcoming 12-week program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Naugatuck beginning Feb. 5.

NAMI’s Family-To-Family Educational Program is a program for loved ones, family and friends of individuals who have a mental illness. This course is taught by trained volunteers. All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.

The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, mental illness will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide. In the United States, one in four adults experiences a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year and one child in 10 has a serious mental or emotional disorder.

“Family members who care for a loved one need support and guidance,” Conroy said. “NAMI’s Family-To-Family Educational Program can help provide caregivers with the tools they need.”

Class curriculum includes:
Current information about mental illnesses
Up-to-date information about medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence
Special workshops for problem solving, listening and communication skills
Strategies for handling crises and relapse
Caregiver coping skills for stress and emotional overload
Guidance to locate supports and services in the community
Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services

For more information, or to register, call Terrilynn Krampetz at 203-881-2707.

The above information was provided in a press release from Todd Murphy, CT House Democrats.