1. Helping Families To Cope and Support Their Loved One Living with Mental Illness NAMI Orange County

2. NAMI Family Support Services Family to Family Basics Family Support Group

3. NAMI Approach Education Support Advocacy

4. Education Teach from the “lived experience” Peer informed Non-judgmental Collaborative Journey

5. Common Themes Stigma prevents recognition Mental illness is traumatic Collaborative support is essential Recovery happens (maintain hope)

6. Recovery and the Family: Stage One Dealing with the catastrophic event Crisis, chaos, shock Denial - disbelief Hope against hope Trauma response: Flight from recognition Needs Support/comfort Empathy for pain & confusion Crisis intervention resources Information - prognosis

7. Recovery and the Family: Stage Two Learning to cope Anger, guilt, resentment Recognition, grief Trauma: Flight from fear, anguish, powerlessness Needs Vent feelings, letting go Networking, support: keep hope alive Education, skill training, self care Cooperation from the system

8. Recovery and the Family: Stage Three Moving into advocacy Understanding, acceptance Action, advocacy Trauma response: Mastering loss/stigma through reparative work Needs Restoring balance in life Responsiveness from system Activism

9. Understanding the Journey Life before mental illness Dealing with the catastrophic event Learning to cope Moving into advocacy

10. Family Education Presentation Audience Comments Questions Panel Responses Answers

11. NAMI Family Education Services Break - brief

12. NAMI Family Support Group Facilitated by NAMI trained peers Rules/Guidelines for meetings Principles of support Structured agenda for each meeting

13. Family Support Group Guidelines Start & stop on time Time limit for opening stories (2-3 minutes) Absolute confidentiality Be respectful Keep it in the here and now Empathize with each other

14. Family Support Group Principals We will see the individual first, not the illness We recognize that mental illnesses are brain disorders We aim for better coping skills We find strength in sharing experiences

15. Family Support Group Principals We reject stigma in ourselves and others We won’t judge anyone’s pain as less than our own We forgive ourselves and reject guilt We embrace humor as healthy

16. Family Support Group Principals We accept that we cannot resolve all problems We expect a better future in a realistic way We will never give up hope!

17. NAMI Family Support Group Agenda Welcome Read principles and rules Opening stories (2-3 minutes) Group discussion Closing

18. Family Support Group Demonstration

19. NAMI Family Support Group Audience Comments Questions Members Responses Answers

20. NAMI Family Support Services Closing comments NAMI Orange County 1810 E. 17 th St. Santa Ana, CA 92701 1-714-544-8488 www.namioc.org info@namioc.org