NAMI

NAMI South Cobb is a volunteer, non-profit, self-help organization of families, friends and people who suffer from mental illness.

The mission of the South Cobb Affiliate is to help eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness through education, support, advocacy and research.  In addition, we try to improve the mental health quality of life by urging medical treatment for those who suffer with no-fault brain diseases.

 

The NAMI  South Cobb monthly meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of every month at Calvary Baptist Church,  4780 Flint Hill Road, Austell.  The times are 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Officers:   

 

 

 

                                                                                                                      

Mental illnesses are disorders of the brain that disrupt a persons thinking, feelings, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.   Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are brain disorders that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or socioeconomic status.  The World Health Organization has reported that 4 out of the 10 leading causes of disabilities in the U.S. and other developed countries are mental disorders, which include major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.  These illnesses greatly affect family members and society in general.

Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or a poor upbringing.  Most importantly, these brain disorders are treatable.

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a 12-week course for families of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illnesses).  Trained family members teach the course.  All course materials are funished at no cost to you.  The curriculum focuses on schizophrienia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), clinical depression, panic disorder (anxiety) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).  The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and the skills that family members need to cope more efficiently.  To register call the NAMI Georgia office at 770-234-0855 or the following teachers:            Martha Jones 770-928-1164          Susie Allen 770-565-4335                                Morris and Linda Shanahan  770-974-2799

The NAMI Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education Program is a 9-week course on the topic of recovery for any person who lives with a mental illness and is interested in establishing or maintaining wellness.  Classes meet for two hours per week and are focused on a variety of topics.  The course is experiential in nature and each week builds on the preceding week's explorations.  Peer-to-Peer promotes the idea that recovery is possible and it provides some essential tools for growth along the recovery path.  Participats devise a relapse prevention plan during the first part of the nine weeks and create an advance directive for  psychiatric care toward the end of the course.  Mindfulness exercises - designed to calm and focus thinking - are used throughout the course.  To register call the NAMI Georgia office at 770-234-0855 or call Sharon McDaniel to register at 770-445-0024 or email Smclan5@yahoo.com.

 

Thoughts to remember:

 

HOME'S -                NOT HOMELESS

TREATMENT -      NOT JAIL

MEDICINE -           NOT ALCOHOL OR DRUGS

DEPRESSION -      IT'S AN ILLNESS, NOT A WEAKNESS

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

THE 3 R'S:     RESPECT          RESPONSIBILITY          RELATIONSHIPS

BRAIN DISORDERS:      ONE IN FIVE SUFFER WITH SOME TYPE