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

It begins Tuesday, March 2 and ends May 11. The class meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

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

They will also gain empathy by understanding the 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 be given guidance on locating appropriate support and services within the community and information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services.

A participant in a recent 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 It breaks down outdated attitudes about mental illness.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 has 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."

This free educational course will be held at the FirstHealth Moore Regional Specialty Clinic (formerly Pinehurst Surgical building) with limited seating. Anyone needing more information or to register is asked to call (910) 692-7399.

More details are also available on the NAMI-Moore County Web site at http://www.nami-moorecounty.org. Everything is confidential.