Basics for Parents (of children & adolescents) Class – Fall - NAMI CCNS - Chicagoland Mental Health

Basics for Parents (of children & adolescents) Class – Fall

*Click on the graphic below for a downloadable PDF version*

NAMI CCNS Basics Class

Offered Fall 2015
Saturday Mornings, 9:00—11:30 am, Oct 10 through
Nov 21, at the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Call 847-716-2252 for info and to register. Visit namiccns.org
Commitment to attend the entire six-week course is required.

Please call Fay Anderson for more information:  847-716-2252 or fanderson@namiccns.org or use our CLASS INQUIRY FORM

NAMI Basics Education Program
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness

What is NAMI Basics?

NAMI Basics is our signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses.  The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness in their school age years.

What does the course include?

  • Introduction to the stages of emotional reactions of the family to the mental illness; including crisis, shock, denial, grief and acceptance.
  • Insights into understanding of the lived experience of the child living with the mental illness, including learning to separate the child you love from the illness that alters their behavior and abilities
  • 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 – 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 to build a community of support for the parent/caregiver
  • 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, please call:

Fay Anderson

NAMI – Cook County North Suburban
8324 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, Illinois 60077
PHONE:  847-716-2252
EMAIL:   admin@namiccns.org or Fay Anderson fanderson@namiccns.org