NAMI of the Lehigh Valley
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Education
Family-to-Family Education Program
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free 12-week course for families of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illnesses). The course is taught by trained family members. All course materials are furnished at no cost to you.
Family to Family will begin on March 8, 2012 and runs through May 24, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:30pm at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown located at the corner of Tilghman St. and Cedar Crest Blvd. Please call 610-882-2102 to register.
  • Attend with other family members just like you in a confidential setting.
  • Learn how families unite together against this disability.
  • Learn all about the biology of the brain disorders - known as mental illnesses.
  • Learn about what your relative is actually experiencing.
  • Take a fascinating look inside some of today's current research on brain disorders.
The curriculum focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), clinical depression, panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.
Topics Include:
  • Learning about feelings, learning about facts
  • Schizophrenia, major depression and mania: diagnosis and dealing with critical periods
  • Subtypes of depression and bipolar disorder, panic disorder and OCD; diagnosis and causes; sharing our stories
  • The biology of the brain/new research
  • Problem solving workshops
  • Medication review
  • Empathy workshop - what it's like to have a brain disorder
  • Communication skills workshop
  • Self-care and relative groups
  • Rehabilitation, services available
  • Advocacy: fighting stigma
  • Review and certification ceremony

A tribute video produced by NAMI containing moving testimonials about the Family-to-Family
program from family members and course instructors.
Peer-to-Peer Free Education Program
The NAMI Peer-to-Peer Education Course is a nine week - two hours per week - experiential education course on the topic of recovery for any person with serious mental illness who is interested in establishing and maintaining wellness. The course uses a combination of lecture, interactive exercises and structural group processes. The diversity of experience among course participants affords for a lively dynamic that moves the course along.
NAMI's Peer-to-Peer Education Course is offered free of charge to people who experience mental illness. You do not need to be a member of NAMI to take the course. Courses are taught by teams of three trained "mentors", or peer-teachers, who are themselves experienced at living well with mental illness.
Peer to Peer starts March 27, 2012 and runs through May 29, 2012 from 1:00 - 3:00pm. It will be held at Lehigh County Clubhouse located at 1437 Gordon St. in Allentown. Please call 610-882-2102 to register.
What is taught, exactly?
Week One
Introduction, Stigma, Discrimination
Begin Relapse Prevention Planning
Week Two
Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Thought, Feelings, Sleep
Continue Relapse Prevention Planning
Week Three
Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Senses, Behavior
Continue Relapse Prevention Planning
Week Four
Story Telling
Week Five
Language, Emotions
Continue Relapse Prevention Planning
Week Six
Addictions, Spirituality, Medication
Complete Relapse Prevention Planning
Week Seven
Coping Strategies, Decision Making
Week Eight
Relationships, Begin Advance Directive
Week Nine
Empowerment, Advocacy, "Complete" Advance Directive, Evaluation

This is the Outreach Video for NAMI's Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education Course.
NAMI Basics
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness.
FREE 6 week education course offered for parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with mental health issues. Classes include:
  • Introduction – it’s not your fault; mental illnesses are brain disorders
  • The biology of mental illness; getting an accurate diagnosis
  • Treatment works – an overview of treatment options
  • Tools for the toolbox – communication skills, problem solving, crisis preparation and response, handling challenging behavior, relapse planning, impact on family members
  • Record keeping and the systems your child is involved in(school, juvenile justice, mental health)
  • Survivor stories, review , wrap up
Sponsored by NAMI Lehigh Valley
Monday, November 7, 2011 from 5-7:30pm. This class will run 6 weeks.
Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 9am to 2:30pm. This class will run 3 weeks.
Call to register for classes - 610-882-2102
NAMI In Our Own Voice
A new educational program called In Our Own Voice (IOOV) has been developed by NAMI National. In this program, two trained consumers present their personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. The consumers speak to a variety of groups: law enforcement officials, educators, providers, faith groups, politicians, inmates, consumer groups, students, and other interested civic groups.
Throughout the presentation, audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and to ask questions. The goal is for this participation to enable listeners to develop a better understanding of what it is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery. Recovery is seen as the point in someone’s illness when the illness is no longer the first and foremost part of his or her life.
All presentations are offered free of charge. Groups or organizations in our area may now contact our Lehigh Valley NAMI office at 610-882-2102 if they are interested in having a presentation.








NAMI of the Lehigh Valley 802 West Broad Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 (610)882-2102

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