Parents who have a child with a mental health challenge, either diagnosed or undiagnosed, are invited to a free, six-session course presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to learn basic information about mental illnesses and tools to assist in making the best decisions possible for the care of the child.
The course will be held for six weeks on Wednesdays from 6:15-8:30 p.m. at the Albany Jewish Community Center at 340 Whitehall Rd., Albany, NY 12208.
- January 22
- January 29
- February 5
- February 12
- February 19
- February 26
Space is limited so advance registration is required.
The course includes:
- Introduction to the normative stages of emotional reactions of the family to the trauma of mental illness.
- Insights into an empathetic understanding of the subjective, lived experience of the child living with the mental illness.
- Current information about Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Childhood Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders.
- Current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available, including medications used to treat mental illness in children and adolescents.
- Specific workshops to learn problem solving, listening and communication skills.
- Examples of strategies that have been found helpful in handling challenging behaviors in children and adolescents.
- Information about the systems that are major players in the lives of children and adolescents with mental illness in the school system and the mental health system.
- Exposure to personal record keeping systems that have proven to be effective for parents/caregivers in their interactions with the school and healthcare systems.
- Information on planning for crisis management and relapse.
- Information on locating appropriate supports and services within the community.
- Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services, with an emphasis on personal advocates for the parent/caregiver and child on an individual level.
For more information or to register, contact Robin Cole at 518-429-8848 or robin@namicapitalregionny.org.
