1. NAMI Basics Education Program
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness
Companion Power Point Presentation
Summer 2008

2. Class 1 Agenda Welcome Introductions to NAMI Introduction to Teachers
Introduction to the NAMI Basics program
Participant Introductions
Welcome to Holland
This is the illness your family has to live with
Adjourn

3. Predictable Stages of Emotional Reactions Class 1: Chart 2
Stage 1: Dealing with the Catastrophic Event
Stage 2: Learning to Cope: “going through the mill”
Stage 3: Moving into Advocacy: “CHARGE”

4. Catastrophic Stressors Class 1: Chart 1
An unanticipated event
No time to prepare for it
No previous experience about how to handle it
Has a high emotional impact
Involves threat or danger to self or others

5. Class 2 Agenda Human Development The Biology of Mental Illness
Getting an Accurate Diagnosis
Overview of some of the illnesses
Adjourn

6. Brain Cell Class 2: Handout # 3

7. The Human Brain Class 2: Handout # 4

8. The Limbic System Class 2: Handout # 5

9. Class 3 Agenda Telling Your Stories Treatment Options Available
The Medication Dilemma
Adjourn

10. Telling Our Stories Class 3: Chart 1
Child’s name and age
Child’s diagnosis/diagnoses
How old was the child when symptoms began?
What were the symptoms?
How is the child doing now? In school? At home?
How are YOU right now? Where are you on the Stages chart?

11. Class 3 Handout # 7 Two neurons in synaptic contact

16. Class 4 Agenda Objective and Subjective Family Burden
Communication Skills
Problem Solving Skills
Tips for Handling Difficult Behavior in Children
Crisis Preparation and Responses
Adjourn

17. Collaborative Problem Solving Plan B Class 4: Chart 1
Empathy (plus reassurance)
Define the problem
Invitation

18. Class 5 Agenda Record Keeping Overview of the Mental Health System
Overview of School System’s role
Overview of Juvenile Justice system
Introduction to Transition Issues
Adjourn

19. Class 6 Agenda Presentation by local experts
Review of items identified as most pressing from Class 1
Self-Care
Referral to ‘Graduate School’
Course Evaluation
Diplomas
Adjourn