Series of Free Classes Offered to Help Behavior Difficulties
Series of Free Classes Offered
to Help Behavior Difficulties
Area residents have the opportunity to participate in a series of free classes to assist parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties, such as depression and anxiety. The classes will be staged in Milbank and are offered through a combined effort by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, South Dakota, (NAMI), and the locally-based group, Moving to Wellness in Milbank.
The classes, called NAMI Basics, include six sessions that will be led by a team of local volunteers who have been trained through the NAMI program. The classes begin on March 11, and those who plan to attend must contact Tamra Peschong at 605-949-0873. The time and location of the meetings will be revealed to those who register, in an attempt to help maintain privacy for those who participate. Those who register will be asked to commit to attending every class.
Taught by trained volunteers, the topics of the classes include an introduction to mental health conditions; an overview of brain biology and getting a diagnosis; treatment options; communication skills and crisis preparation; navigating mental health, school and juvenile justice systems, and advocacy, self-care and evaluation.
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The group’s dedicated volunteer members and leaders work to raise awareness and provide education, advocacy and support group programs.
According to NAMI, many children exhibit challenging behaviors, yet not all of these will develop into a mental health challenge for them. The data estimates that 50 percent of all lifetime mental illnesses begin before age 14; 75 percent, before age 24. Early intervention in addressing the issues can make a difference to that child for the rest of their lives.
The NAMI Basics series helps parents learn about mental health conditions and gives them tools to work with healthcare providers and school staff so that they can become the best advocates for their children.
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Grant County Review
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