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. Sessions go from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

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 subjective, 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, all while learning how to cope with the worry, stress, and emotional overload of being a caregiver.

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

Marianne Kernan, NAMI-MC president 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 and/or for more information. Everything is confidential.