I am delighted to announce that we are offering a six-week class this fall (also via Zoom) entitled NAMI Basics, in conjunction with the Lorain County office of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This class is for parents whose children have symptoms of or diagnoses of mental illness. 
The Zoom sessions will convene Wednesdays at 7 PM, from October 7 through November 11. To register, please email me by September 23:  pastor@avonlakeucc.org .
Here is what the class will cover:

• Class 1: Introduction: Mental health conditions are no one’s fault. Features of the course, emotional reactions to the trauma of mental health conditions, our belief system and principles, accepting that mental health conditions are no one’s fault. 
• Class 2: Brain biology and getting a diagnosis Overview of human and brain development, current brain research, overview of diagnostic process, overview of some mental health conditions (anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, CD, depressive disorders disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, OCD, ODD, schizophrenia and substance use disorders).
• Class 3: Treatment Telling our stories, overview of treatment options, explanation of evidence- based practices, review of types of mental healthcare professionals, overview of medication as a treatment option.
• Class 4: Communication skills and crisis preparation Impact of mental health conditions on the family, communication skills, problem-solving skills, managing challenging behavior, crisis preparation and response, developing relapse plan.
• Class 5: Navigating mental health, school and juvenile justice systems Importance of keeping records, sample record-keeping system, overview of mental health system, school system and juvenile justice system, introduction to transition issues.
• Class 6: Advocacy, self-care and evaluation Guest speaker, recommendations on post-course activities for further support, opportunities for involvement and advocacy with NAMI, course evaluations, certificates