Support and Education through NAMI of Greater Kansas City

By: Ed Plese, RN, BSN

Ed Plese

I would like to thank NAMI of Greater Kansas City (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for empowering, educating and supporting consumers with mental illness as well as their families.  Illness affects consumers and families with mental illness.  The consumer needs to be the expert of their illness.  Families need assistance in learning about mental illness.

Unfortunately since the advent of Managed Care and decreased hospital stays, patients and family do not receive enough information about their illness during inpatient stays.  This applies to consumers with diabetes as well as those with mental illness.

Support groups have been providing phenomenal educational presentations for family members who are affected by their loved ones mental illness.

NAMI just completed a 12 week Family to Family class at Research Psychiatric Center. Fifteen family members attended the Tuesday evening class.  Curriculum includes: Signs and symptoms, medications, communication techniques, problem solving, advocacy, and dealing with difficult behaviors.

Family members were so empowered that they are going to continue meeting twice a month as a group to continue the support they received from each other.

Educational presentations are evidenced base and provided by volunteers who have attended NAMI training.

NAMI will be offering a Basics program which is a six week long program for families with children and adolescents with mental illness.  The program will be offered at Research Psychiatric Center and will start on February 7, 2012

For more information on NAMI call 816-931-0030.