Free Mental Health Programs in Five Languages Offered Through NAMI-OC

Santa Ana, CA, July 11, 2010 --(PR.com)-- On July 13th the National Alliance on Mental Illness Orange County (NAMI-OC) will host their 29th Annual Dinner at the Anaheim Promenade. This year the theme is Community Unity.

NAMI-OC has partnered with the Multi-ethnic Collaboration of Community Agencies (MECCA) to offer Family-to-Family classes in five languages in addition to English. The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses.

By offering Family-to-Family classes in Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish and Farsi/Persian, NAMI-OC and MECCA will be able to reach families who struggle with the day-to-day complexities of caring for a loved one with a serious mental health diagnosis. In addition, classes in Arabic will be added in January 2011.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 families in Orange County are impacted by a serious and persistent mental illness, which includes clinical depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Although treatable with medication and psychotherapy, these illnesses often result in severe functional limitations in the individual’s interpersonal skills, personal care and cognitive processing.

The mission of NAMI Orange County is to provide emotional support, education and resources for families, and those affected by mental health conditions. In collaboration with the entire community, NAMI advocates for a life of quality and dignity, one without discrimination, for all persons affected by mental illness.

NAMI-OC, affiliated with NAMI California and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, receives its funding from memberships, MHSA and from the community to provide services free to the public.

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