The Family-to-Family Education Course is a 12-week course designed for family members of individuals with serious and persistent brain disorders (mental illness). The course is offered free of charge by NAMI of Greater Chicago as a service to families of persons with mental illness.

The curriculum focuses on five major psychiatric illnesses (schizophrenia, major depression, mania, panic/anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder), emphasizing the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaching the knowledge and skills that family members need when faced with the problems of mental illness.

The Family-To-Family Education Course is taught by trained NAMI family member volunteers in co-leading teams. There is no fee for participation in this course. Call (312) 563-0445 to enroll.

Weekly Schedule

1. Learning about feelings and learning about facts.
2. Schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, diagnosis, critical periods.
3. Major depression, mania, panic/anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, diagnosis and causes.
4. Basics about the brain.
5. Problem solving skills workshop.
6. Medication review.
7. What it's like to be mentally ill: Empathy workshop.
8. Communications skills workshop.
9. Support groups and self-care.
10. Rehabilitation and potential for recovery.
11. Advocacy: Fighting stigma.
12. Review, evaluation, certification and celebration.