The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Moore County is offering the 11-week "Family to Family" course free to family members of close relatives with mental illness.

It begins Tuesday, April 21, and ends June 30. It is held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

Attendees will learn of all current information about the severe and persistent mental illnesses, up-to-date information about medications and current research.

They will also gain empathy by understanding the subject, lived experiences of a person with a mental illness while learning in special workshops about problem solving, listening and communication techniques. Attendees will be given strategies for handling crises and relapse, while learning how to cope with the worry, stress and emotional overload of being a caregiver.

They will receive guidance on locating appropriate support and services within the community, and information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services.

A student in a recent NAMI Family to Family program said, "My husband and I recommend the course highly. You think you are alone until you meet and share information with others. This vital information that the facilitators have brought us from NAMI-MC has helped us to gain insight into the brain disease that is so misunderstood. It has helped us to make some of the most important decisions for our son."

Another student and sister of a loved one said, "The information presented in the course and what we learn from the other participants is invaluable. I highly recommend this course for anyone who helps care for a family member who suffers from a mental illness."

An aunt of a loved one said, "This course is a myth-buster. It breaks down outdated attitudes about mental illness. The educational package offers up-to-date, credible and comprehensive information about chronic brain disorders and coping strategies for caregivers, presented in classes that encourage caring and sharing."

Finally, a father said, "This course has been outstanding in both the details of the contents and the presentation of the material on the subject of brain illness. It is the first time I have thoroughly understood the depth of the challenges facing those afflicted with brain illness. The information gained in these classes have both enabled me to understand the behaviors of my son and, more importantly, to assist him in the recovery process.

"The Family to Family education classes are absolutely essential for anyone who has a loved one with a brain illness of any degree or magnitude."

Marianne Kernan, president of NAMI-Moore County, and Ellen Airs, co-chairs of NAMI-MC's forthcoming Pathway to Awareness Weekend, will again teach this popular course.

This free educational course is held at the FirstHealth Moore Regional Specialty Clinic (formerly Pinehurst Surgical Clinic building) with limited seating. Anyone interested in attending is asked to call 235-0292 to register. Everything is confidential.