NAMI Basics Education Program

1. NAMI Basics Education Program The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness Companion Power Point Presentation Summer 2008

2. Class 1 Agenda • Welcome • Introductions to NAMI • Introduction to Teachers • Introduction to the NAMI Basics program • Participant Introductions • Welcome to Holland • This is the illness your family has to live with • Adjourn

3. Predictable Stages of Emotional ReactionsClass 1: Chart 2 Stage 1: Dealing with the Catastrophic Event Stage 2: Learning to Cope: “going through the mill” Stage 3: Moving into Advocacy: “CHARGE”

4. Catastrophic StressorsClass 1: Chart 1 • An unanticipated event • No time to prepare for it • No previous experience about how to handle it • Has a high emotional impact • Involves threat or danger to self or others

5. Class 2 Agenda • Human Development • The Biology of Mental Illness • Getting an Accurate Diagnosis • Overview of some of the illnesses • Adjourn

6. Class 3 Agenda • Telling Your Stories • Treatment Options Available • The Medication Dilemma • Adjourn

7. Class 4 Agenda • Objective and Subjective Family Burden • Communication Skills • Problem Solving Skills • Tips for Handling Difficult Behavior in Children • Crisis Preparation and Responses • Adjourn

8. Collaborative Problem SolvingPlan BClass 4: Chart 1 • Empathy (plus reassurance) • Define the problem • Invitation

9. Class 5 Agenda • Record Keeping • Overview of the Mental Health System • Overview of School System’s role • Overview of Juvenile Justice system • Introduction to Transition Issues • Adjourn

10. Class 6 Agenda • Presentation by local experts • Review of items identified as most pressing from Class 1 • Self-Care • Referral to ‘Graduate School’ • Course Evaluation • Diplomas • Adjourn