The following was written by the Rainier Foothills Wellness Association:

A program aimed at helping families of people with serious mental illness is coming to Enumclaw.

The Family to Family Education Program is being sponsored by Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The free program begins Sept. 11 and will take place over 12 consecutive Tuesdays, with each session running from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The course will provide information about schizophrenia; the mood disorders (bi-polar disorder and major depression); obsessive compulsive disorder; and basic information about medications, recovery and rehabilitation. Skills will be developed to handle crisis situations, how to listen and communicate, and self-care for dealing with worry and stress.

The curriculum was written by an experienced mental health professional who has a family member living with mental illness. Trained NAMI family member volunteers will lead the program. This course balances basic education and skill training with emotional support, coping strategies and empowerment.

The course is designed for parents, siblings, spouses, older teens, partners and significant others of persons with mental illness, including those who may not yet have a formal diagnosis. The course is not appropriate for individuals who have a major mental illness or for family members with children younger than 16 living with mental illness.

Registration is required; visit www.rfwellnessfoundation.org/upcoming-events or call 360-802-3206.