April 19 through May 31 National Alliance for Mental Illness will offer its signature class, Family-to-Family, taught by Fred Hjerpe and Victoria Debenham, both El Dorado Hills residents. 

This free, eight-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions is a designated evidenced-based program. Research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition. 

NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises.

What you’ll gain

NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you’ll also find out that you’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope. The group setting of NAMI Family-to-Family provides mutual support and shared positive impact — experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Sharing your own experience may help others in your class.

 In the program, you’ll learn:

• How to solve problems and communicate effectively

• Taking care of yourself and managing your stress

• Supporting your loved one with compassion

• Finding and using local supports and services

• Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain

• How to handle a crisis

• Current treatments and therapies

• The impact of mental health conditions on the entire family

Classes run from 6:30-8:30 p.m at Marina Village Middle School in El Dorado Hills. All materials provided by the instructors. To register go to namieldoradocounty.org.