JERE BRANDS: Mental illness education is available locally and online

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of columns focusing on mental health. This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Because the symptoms of mental illnesses often are exhibited in behaviors, the diseases may be misunderstood. The illnesses are often seen as a matter of choice, or blame is placed on the individual or on the family.

Mental illnesses are based in human biology, just like diabetes or cancer. Ongoing brain research is making breakthroughs in understanding and treating neuropsychiatric diseases.

Learning opportunities are available locally in Southwest Georgia. Most of these trainings are offered free of charge, with length ranging from two hours to 40 hours.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), a gatekeeper course in suicide prevention, is a two-hour training Participants learn about local crisis resources They have practice with communication skills goal of their actions will be to bring the person to professional help. QPR is funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and is offered to groups free of charge by trained local presenters. Contact Trece Carter by email: [email protected].

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) are eight-hour trainings which include basic information about mental illnesses and symptoms of crisis. Similar to CPR, participants learn to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives. YMHFA focuses on problems typically encountered by youth ages 12 to 18. It is intended primarily for school staff, human service workers, family members, and others who regularly come into contact with youth.

Both Mental Health First Aid classes can be offered free of charge by trained local presenters. Contact Michelle Huskey at SOWEGA Area Health Education Center (AHEC): [email protected] or (229) 439-7185.

NAMI Education Programs: More in-depth trainings are offered through NAMI Albany, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Strongly grounded in research, all are presented by trained NAMI members who share the experience of those participating. All are funded by the annual NAMI Walk and are free of charge. NAMI membership is not required to participate.

NAMI Family-to-Family (F2F) is a 12-week program for family members and close friends of individuals living with a mental illness. Topics include illness information, current research on the biology of brain disorders and evidence-based treatments to promote recovery, problem-solving, coping skills, communication, community resources, and working to improve the system. The next F2F class will begin this January in Albany. Contact Pam Barfield: [email protected] or (229) 343-8791.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer (P2P) is a 10-session program for adults with mental illness. The curriculum is similar to that of F2F, with an emphasis on maintaining recovery. A P2P class is planned for 2016 in Albany. Contact John Holt: [email protected] or (229) 449-2316.

NAMI Basics is a six-session program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. With a curriculum similar to that of F2F, Basics also offers tools to serve as an effective advocate for the child in interactions with schools, the mental health care system, and other agencies. Basics will be offered in Southwest Georgia in 2016. Contact Lynn Wilson: [email protected] or (229) 891-1725.

NAMI Homefront is the newest NAMI educational course, designed for family members, friends and caregivers of military service members and veterans who are living with mental illness, particularly the invisible wounds of war. With a curriculum based on F2F, the class provides an opportunity for mutual support. Homefront will be offered in Southwest Georgia in the near future. See www.nami.org. Locally contact Pam Barfield: [email protected]m.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a 40-hour training for law enforcement personnel and others who encounter individuals in crisis. CIT training includes factual information about brain disorders, visits to local agencies, and active training in crisis de-escalation techniques. Course and materials are offered free of charge. CIT was developed by NAMI and is presented by CIT-trained NAMI members, local CIT officers, and mental health professionals. The curriculum is approved by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council. CIT training is offered on a regular basis in both Dougherty and Colquitt counties. Contact Colonel John Ostrander: [email protected] or (229) 430-8508.

Reliable Internet resources: In addition to NAMI, view information from Mayo Clinic, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Mental Health.