For Any Parent or Primary Caregiver

Of a Child or Adolescent Living with Mental Illness

NAMI Basics offers education and support. Taught by parents who have lived similar experiences with their own children, NAMI Basics is an educational program that provides learning and practical insights for families. Course elements include:

• The trauma of mental illness for the child and the family
• The biology of mental illness: getting an accurate diagnosis
• The latest research on the medical aspects of the illness and advances in treatment
• An overview of treatment options - treatment works
• The impact of a child's mental illness on the rest of the family - caregivers and siblings
• An overview of the systems involved in caring for children and teens

The course is offered free of charge and consists of 6 classes that meet weekly beginning the middle of January of 2 1/2 hour sessions. It will be held in Alton in Saint Clare's Hospital. For more information or to register, contact the NAMI office at 618-798-9788 or namimadisoncty@sbcglobal.net. On the web, visit www.nami.org/basics or NAMI Madison County's website at http://madisoncty.nami.org.