SANTA BARBARA — As vacations wind down and back-to-school approaches, the new season around the corner marks a time of change and new beginnings. While Santa Barbara County residents are accustomed to seeing the leaves fall a little later in the autumn season, for a number of people, September may also signify the opportunity to make a change in their lives and in the lives of their loved ones living with mental illness—with the help of the Family-to-Family education program.
A program of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Santa Barbara County, which is hosted by and receives support from the Mental Wellness Center, the Family-to-Family program is a free, 12-session course designed to help family members of adults living with serious mental illness.
The course is structured to help participants understand and support their loved ones, while providing tools to help maintain their own well-being. Conducted by trained and certified teachers who have been in similar family situations, the program offers information on mental illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions, including how they are diagnosed and treated.
NAMI’s nationally-recognized program also helps participants learn coping skills, effective communication strategies, how to access community resources, how to best offer support to their relative and how to deal with crisis situations.
Pre-registration for the fall course is now open. The program will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning September 6th at the Mental Wellness Center (617 Garden Street, Santa Barbara). Pre-registration is required.
To register or learn more, please contact Ramona Winner at Rwinner@mentalwellnesscenter.org or 805-884-8440 ext. 3206.
About the Mental Wellness Center: The Mental Wellness Center is a private, non-profit organization providing recovery, education, and family services to adults and families affected by mental illness. For more information, please call (805) 884-8440 or visit www.mentalwellnesscenter.org.
About NAMI SSBCO: NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County hosted by and receives support from the Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara and is an affiliate of NAMI California. NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County’s dedicated volunteers, members and leaders work tirelessly to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people in our community living with mental illness and their loved ones.