Classes on Mental Illness
Parents & Kids
The National Alliance for the Mentally 111 (NAMI-MN) will hold KidShops
this fall to support children ages 7-18 who have a sibling or parent
living with a biological brain disorder (mental illness). At the
same time the Visions for Tomorrow program will be offered which
is an education course for parents and caregivers of children with
brain disorders.
Trained adult volunteers
who have either a siibling or parent with mental illness lead the
Kidshops. They provide an opportunity for children to interact
with children in similar situations and feel supported. “My son was able to compare his experiences to others
in the group and feel better about his sister,” said one recent
class member.
The Visions classes help educate parents and caregivers about brain
biology, coping and self-care, problem management and advocacy. The
teachers are parents who have experience raising children with brain
disorders.
The programs will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling
Avenue S. in St. Paul, on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 (a free dinner
is provided for parents and children at 5:30) to 8:00 p.m., from
Sept. 20 through Oct. 25, 2005. Both classes are free but registration
is required. To sign up or to get more information, call Mary Jean
at 651-645-2948, ext. 107.
