Understanding and Coping with PTSD

February 21st and 28th

Location:

Bakersfield VET Center, 1110 Golden State Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Your spot must be reserved

(661) 303-1416 or (661) 333-5484

namikernpatrice@gmail.com

Family Support Group
Every Tuesday- 6:00-7:30pm
CCS HOPE Center -
701 “A” Inyokern Rd, (760) 384-8672; (760) 446-2032

Connection Recovery Support Group
Please call for current time and location
(760) 977-7837; (760) 384-8672

To sign up for classes, contact:
William Lester: (661) 203-0498 OR wlester66@hotmail.com

Instructors: Debbie Renno and William Lester

NAMI Family to Family Program consists of a series of twelve (12) classes for the families of persons with serious and persistent brain disorders (mental illnesses).  These classes represent a new concept and curriculum.  In this model, the course co-leaders are family members themselves, and the course has been designed and written by an experienced family-member health professional.  The course balances education and skill training with self-care, emotional support and empowerment.

Important components of the course are:

-Information about Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Bipolar Illness, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Tramatic Disorder (PTSD), and Co-occuring Brain Disorders and Addictive Disorders

-Coping skills, handling crisis and relapse

-Listening and communication techniques

-Problem solving and limit setting; rehabilitation

To list just a few.

1.  How can we, NAMI Kern County, increase our attendance at our Monthly Affiliate Meetings, A.I.M.?

2.  What topics would you like to see covered in these monthly meetings?

3.  Do you feel two Family to Family Educational Classes, in English, would be sufficient for 2012?

4.  Would you, or someone you know, participate in a Spanish (or bi-lingual) Family to Family Class?

5.  How many Peer to Peer classes do you feel NAMI Kern County should offer?

6.  Would YOU be interested in participating on a committee through 2012?  If so, what would be your area of interest?

Please submit your answers to:

kerncountynami@gmail.com

or if you prefer mail to:

NAMI Kern County
P.O. Box 9144
Bakersfield, CA  93389

Thank you for your input.

YOUR 2012 Executive Board

President – Patrice Maniaci
Vice President -  Nick Amicone
2nd Vice President – William Lester
Treasurer – Evelyn Eterno
Secretary – Ann Marie Michalski
Past President – Russ Sempell

NAMI Kern is an affiliate of NAMI California.

We are a grassroots volunteer organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness.

Our mission is to provide: Support, Education, and Advocacy.

We are advocates for a quality of life without stigma for all our constituents. We know what a struggle life can be when mental illness strikes. We, as it is said, “have been there, and it is heart breaking and life changing!”

Kern County is very large in area, demographics, and income range. We want to reach the underserved and isolated regions as well as Bakersfield proper. Our programs are effective. We market our classes by newspaper articles, television announcements, in church bulletins, at clinics and doctors’ offices.

However, word of mouth is the way most people become familiar with NAMI
and then it is because they are experiencing a crisis.

NAMI Kern County is strictly a volunteer based organization. We rely on donations, such as the NAMI Walk to continue to provide services at no cost. Donations are always welcomed. You can donate strictly to NAMI Kern County Affiliate. Or you may want to designate a certain program for your donation to be used for. Please contact us for more information.

NAMI Kern is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization #77-0289372