NAMI Basics Education Program


NAMI BASICS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family
and your child with mental illness

What is NAMI Basics?

NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years. All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.

What are the goals of the NAMI Basics program?

1. To give the parent/caregiver the fundamental information necessary to be an effective
    caregiver.
2. To help the parent/caregiver cope with the traumatic impact that mental illness has on the child
    living with the illness and the entire family.
3. To provide tools for the parent/caregiver to use even after completing the program that will
    assist in making the best decisions possible for the care of the child.
4. To help the parent/caregiver take the best care possible of the entire family – especially
    themselves.

What does the course include?

Introduction to the normative stages of emotional reactions of the family to the trauma of
   mental illness
Insights into an empathic understanding of the subjective, lived experience of the child living
   with the mental illness
Current information about Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder,
   Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive
   Disorder, Childhood Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders
Current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective
   treatment strategies available, including medications used to treat mental illness in children and
   adolescents
Specific workshops to learn problem solving, listening and communication skills
Strategies in handling challenging behaviors in children and adolescents
Information about the systems that are major players in the lives of children and adolescents
   with mental illness – the school system and the mental health system
Exposure to personal record keeping systems that have proven to be effective for
   parents/caregivers in their interactions with the school and healthcare systems
Information on planning for crisis management and relapse
Information on locating appropriate supports and services within the community
Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services, with an emphasis
   on personal advocates for the parent/caregiver and child on an individual level

Alicia Stevenson
NAMI Basics, Program Coordinator
908-892-4299
basics@naminj.org

 
For more information or class schedules in your area, contact your nearest Contact Person
or the NAMI Basics Program Coordinator.

COUNTY

CONTACT PERSON

UPCOMING CLASSES

TIME

LOCATION

Atlantic

Gail Dembin
609-927-0215

Early 2010

TBD

TBD

Burlington

Elaine Harris
609-265-8838

Wednesdays: Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, & 24, 2010

6:30 – 9:00 pm

FSO of Burlington, Lumberton Holly Office Center, 774 Eayrestown Rd., Lumberton, NJ 08048

Camden

Alicia Stevenson
908-892-4299

Mid 2010

TBD

TBD

Gloucester

Alicia Stevenson
908-892-4299

Mid 2010

TBD

TBD

Hudson

Martha Silva
201-861-0614

Saturdays: Feb 20, 27, Mar 6, 13, 20, & 27

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Catholic Community Service,
3040 Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ
(entrance on Huron St)

Hunterdon

Alicia Stevenson
908-892-4299

Mid 2010

TBD

TBD

Mercer

NAMI Mercer
609-799-8994

Mid 2010

TBD

NAMI Mercer Office,
3371 Brunswick Pike, Suite 124, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Middlesex

Alicia Stevenson
908-892-4299

March 2010

TBD

Family Support Organization (FSO) of Middlesex,
1 Ethel Road, Suite 108A, Edison, NJ 08817

Monmouth

Shrabanee Shah
609-259-7139

Fridays: Jan 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, & Mar 5

7:00 – 9:30 pm

CentraState Medical Center, Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, Health Awareness Center,
Suite 100, 901 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ

Morris

Alicia Stevenson
908-892-4299

Saturdays: March 6, 13, 20,27, April 10, 17 (no class Apr 3)

9:30 am -12:00 noon

Police Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Ave., Morris Plains, 07950

Ocean

Linda VanMelis
732-928-5608

Thursdays: Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 8, &15

6:30 – 9:00 pm

Ocean County FSO Office, 44 Washington St, Suite 2A,
Toms River, NJ 08753

Somerset

FSO of HSW
908-213-9932 or Alicia Stevenson 908-892-4299

Tuesdays: Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, & Mar 2, 2010

6:00 – 8:30 pm

Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center,
500 North Bridge Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Sussex

Kathleen Fitzsimmons 862-268-5846

nami-sussex-nj@earthlink.net

TBD

TBD

TBD

Warren

FSO of HSW
908-213-9932

TBD

TBD

FSO of Hunterdon, Warren, Somerset,
114 South Second St, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

  Resources for Children
 

 

NAMI NEW JERSEY is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families who are affected by mental illness.

 

NAMI NEW JERSEY
1562 Route 130, North Brunswick, New Jersey 08902
Phone:732.940.0991 Fax:732.940.0355
E-mail: info@naminj.org
Web Address: www.naminj.org
Copyright © 2010 NAMI NEW JERSEY - All Rights Reserved