NAMI South Bay is now offering its free Family to Family Education Program in Westchester, beginning March 9, 2016. The program is one night per week for 12 consecutive weeks for adult family members or caregivers of individuals with mental illnesses. The course is taught by NAMI trained family members. All instructions and course materials are free to class participants. The Family to Family program includes:

• Mutual support and reinforcement from people who understand your situation
• You will learn critical information and strategies on how to take care of your loved one
• How to manage crises, improve your coping and problem solving abilities
• Learn to communicate and listen effectively
• Information on self-care, manage stress and emotional overload
• Develop confidence and stamina to provide support with compassion
• Finding and using local support and services
• Gain information on current research related to the biology of brain disorders
• Understanding schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder, dual diagnosis, borderline personality disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, co-occurring brain and addictive disorders
• Treatment options, including therapies, medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence
• Understanding the impact of mental illness on the entire family
• Gain empathy by understanding the daily life experience of a person with mental illness
• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services

This program is taught in 49 states, Canada, Mexico, & Italy.  It has touched over 200,000 participants.

The Westchester Family to Family will be every Wednesday night, running March 9 through May 25, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Visitation School, 8740 S. Emerson Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045. For registration and information contact Paul Stansbury at 310.892.8046 or pstan5@aol.com.