The Troup County chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness will sponsor a family-to-family education program specifically for families of persons diagnosed with serious mental illness. The 12-week series of classes will start Feb. 21 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 306 E. 7th St. in West Point.

The course will cover information about schizophrenia, mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depression), panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder; coping skills such as handling crises and relapse; basic information about medications; listening and communication techniques; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and self-care around worry and stress.

The curriculum, written by an experienced family member and mental health professional, will be taught by NAMI Troup family member volunteers who have taken intensive training as course instructors. The co-teachers will be Cheryl Morrison, Tammy Rogers and Valerie West.

“This course is a wonderful experience,” Rogers said. “It balances basic psychoeducation and skill training with emotional support, self-care and empowerment. We hope families with relatives who have a serious mental illness will take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

The course is designed specifically for parents, siblings, spouses, teen-age and adult children and significant others of people with severe and persistent mental illness. The course is not for people who themselves suffer from a major mental illnesses.

The course is free, but class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (706) 594-4714.