Free Linn County course helps families facing mental health issues
GazetteDec 20, 2018
"It's just hard," said Snapp, of
She found some relief when she took a course for family members of adults with mental health issues. Snapp said the free course, taught by the
"It's a safe place to talk about your situation," she said. "You know they know what you're going through."
Another round of the nonprofit's free "family-to-family" 12-week course is scheduled to begin in January.
"I think there's a need out there," said Rogahn, who was a student in a family-to-family class before becoming an instructor. "... You learn to separate the individual from the illness, and this helps in understanding the person and in communicating with them."
About 1 in 5 American adults -- 44.7 million people -- lives with a mental health issue, according to 2016 data from the
The local branch of the nonprofit is hoping to establish an office in
Rogahn said he hopes the courses, and the volunteer work done by the local branch, can support the people supporting those with mental health issues.
"What we learned," he recalled of the first family-to-family class he took with his wife, "is that we're not alone."
If you go
To enroll in the 12-week courses, call 319-221-1184 or email nami-lc@hotmail.com by
--When: Mondays,
--Where:
--When:
--Where:
l Comments: (319) 398-8330; molly.duffy@thegazette.com
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