Decorah residents are organizing an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

A local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is being formed in Decorah.

The new NE Iowa chapter of NAMI Iowa will begin offering two free education programs April 6th.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free 10-week class for adults living with mental illness. The class is led by trained "mentors" who share the experience of living with a mental illness and are in recovery. Topics covered include stigma and discrimination, relapse prevention planning, storytelling, language, emotions, addictions, spirituality, medication, coping strategies, decision making, relationships, empowerment and advocacy. Weekly classes will begin on Monday, April 6th, at 6:00 p.m. in Decorah. To register, please call Julie Fisher at the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center at 563-382-5337.

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free 12-week class for family members of older teens and adults living with mental illness. The class is led by trained facilitators who share the experience as a family member. Topics covered include symptoms and treatments of mental illnesses, brain biology, medications, recovery and rehabilitation. Coping skills, self-care, communication skills, problem-solving and advocacy strategies are also vital elements. Weekly classes will begin on Monday, April 6th, at 6:00 p.m. in Decorah. To register, please call Brita Carbonell at Families First Counseling Services at 319-505-3814.

A third educational program developed by NAMI, called NAMI Basics, is currently being offered in Decorah. Basics is a free, 6-week class for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are either experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or have already been diagnosed. NAMI Basics helps parents and other family caregivers of children to understand the illnesses that are causing behavioral difficulties and the critical role families play in the treatment of those illnesses. If you would like to be informed when the next NAMI Basics class is scheduled, please call Brita Carbonell at Families First Counseling Services at 319-505-3814.

Monthly support and education groups for both individuals living with mental illness and for family members will be forming in the coming months.