New program for family and friends of those with mental health conditions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in El Dorado County is among the first of the NAMI Affiliates in the nation to offer "NAMI Family & Friends," a new NAMI four-hour seminar.

"We are delighted to be able to provide an educational experience for those that care deeply about a family member or friend in the community," said Jeanne Nelson, NAMI El Dorado County President. "In just four hours the participants may walk away with some tools and techniques that could directly make a positive difference in the recovery process."

The pilot seminar informs and supports family members, partners, friends and significant others who have loved ones with a mental health condition.

Participants will learn about diagnoses, treatment, recovery, communication strategies, crisis preparation and NAMI resources. Seminar leaders are also family members and know what it is like to have a loved one with a mental health condition.

This course will be rolled out nationally by NAMI in early 2018. An on-line free e-book available on Amazon.com is available to those registered. Register on-line at namieldoradocounty.org for either the November 15 seminar in South Lake Tahoe (5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) or the December 9 seminar in Placerville (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). NAMI El Dorado County hosting meal/snacks.

Over 350,000 individuals nationally have graduated from NAMI's 32-hour evidence-based NAMI Family-to-Family course. "This 4-hour seminar is a briefer offering to help further lend education towards making our community among the healthiest to live, work, and play," said Nelson.