STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Caring for someone with a mental illness can be scary and supporting them all the time can be a struggle, but who is your support?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) does.
And on Staten Island, the fall brings new opportunities for family members, friends and caregivers of those diagnosed with anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADHD or PTSD to get the information they need through free group classes taught by informative speakers with practical experience.
That information is delivered by experts during NAMI’s free weekly Basics and Family to Family classes, which “lead to better relationships and more effective communication with loved ones,” said Lynn Ferrante, executive director of NAMI NYC Staten Island.
Don’t judge
She also stressed that there is no judgement in the classes or in the support groups offered.
“The more you know about mental health, the less scary it is,” Ferrante says. “You’re going to feel sad and sad, but you’re not going to get out of it. NAMI can help you get out of it, or get back on track, make the most of it, and enjoy what you have.”
The understanding gained through education sessions translates into better relationships with children and adult families following a diagnosis.
“It’s important for them to understand what their loved one is going through, not what they’re going through,” she said. “Then they can change the conversation and their loved one knows you’re trying and that you understand now.”
There is guidance for parents of young children and teenagers with mental illness, as well as separate information classes for people living with or caring for adults with mental illness.
Learning that your child has a mental illness can be frightening, but education can help ease that fear. (Getty Images)Getty Images
When it comes to caring for a family member with a mental illness, Ferrante said NAMI instructors have been there and seen it all.
Each class will focus on a different topic, she said, and the understanding gained will lead to better conversations with loved ones and fewer difficult episodes.
They will also learn how to properly advocate for children’s rights in schools and healthcare settings, as well as how to prepare for and respond to future crisis situations.
When a young child is diagnosed with a mental illness, it can create fear and parents often blame themselves, Ferrante said.
“A lot of people come to me thinking that divorce causes mental illness,” she says, “but that’s not the case.”
She stressed that it wasn’t because of actions she took or words she said before her diagnosis.
“The main thing we try to teach caregivers is that you won’t be blamed for something you didn’t know,” she said.
Perhaps just as important, Ferrante said, is that those who attend the classes learn the importance of taking care of themselves. Understanding that parents can’t fix their problems, but they can help them cope, can build valuable peace of mind, she said.
“When this hits your loved one and they’re never the same, it’s time to see them for who they are,” she said, “because if you keep waiting for them to be something they can’t be, you’re going to miss out on all the beauty they have right now.”
When class is over
After completing the class sessions, participants often continue on to NAMI support groups, benefiting from the knowledge and support of their peers, she said. After attending support groups, “people keep coming back,” she said.
“They know they’ve found their people,” she said. “They know they’ve found a place to talk about this. They know not to talk about this at work, not to talk about this at parties. Now they have a place to talk about this.”
NAMI Basic Class
The course is aimed at caregivers of loved ones between the ages of 6 and 17. It will be held every Monday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., starting Sept. 16, for six weeks, at the Holy Rosary Parish Center, 80 Jerome Ave., South Beach.
Family to Family Classes
The Family to Family course is designed for anyone who supports adults aged 18 and over. Participants will learn to understand mental health and how it affects the brain. Participants will learn how to communicate effectively with loved ones, how to respond to a crisis, and how to support loved ones with compassion.
The classes will be held for eight weeks, Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Parish Center, 80 Jerome St. in South Beach. The first class will be held on September 18.
Family to Family classes will also be held for eight weeks, every Thursday from 3 to 5:30 pm in the second floor conference room at 1130 South Avenue in Travis. The first class will be held on September 19th.
Support Groups
Tuesday Nights: 6:30-9 p.m., beginning Sept. 3. Holy Rosary Parish Center, 80 Jerome Ave., South Beach.
Wednesday morning: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jewish Community Center, second floor, 1466 Victory Blvd., Sunnyside. (Currently running)
Wednesday Nights: 6:30-9 p.m., beginning Sept. 4, Jewish Community Center, basement media room, 1466 Victory Blvd., Sunnyside.
As a nonprofit organization, NAMI does not charge fees for its classes or support groups.
For more information or to register for classes, call the Staten Island NAMI office at 718-447-1700 or email [email protected].
