MOULTRIE, Ga. — NAMI Family-to-Family, a 12-week evidence-based practice, begins on Monday, Feb. 19.

The class is open to family members and close friends of individuals who live with a serious mental illness.

Family-to-Family is offered at no cost to participants.  The course is funded through NAMIWalks Southwest Georgia and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Class curriculum

Feb. 19: Introduction to family education.

Feb. 26: Symptoms of schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder; getting through critical periods of crisis; post-traumatic stress.

March 5: Subtypes of depression and bipolar disorder; panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder; telling our stories.

March 12: Basics about brain biology and the causes of brain disorders.

March 19: Problem solving skills workshop.

March 26: Medication review.

April 2: Empathy: Inside mental illness.

April 9: Communication skills workshop.

April 16: Self-care for family members.

April 23: Rehabilitation; making choices for recovery (guest speaker).

April 30: Fighting stigma; advocacy (guest speaker).

May 7: Review, sharing and evaluation, certification and celebration.

More information about Family-to-Family can be found at www.nami.org.