Group helps family, friends of the mentally ill

BANGOR – If your child gets an ear infection or your grandfather sprains an ankle, you know how to handle it, and no doubt a friend or co-worker will offer a word of encouragement.

But what if the problem is something that “just isn’t talked about?” What if your spouse or sibling, parent or child has a mental illness? What will you do, and who will understand?

Members of NAMI – the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill – have been through the experience, and they understand. Moreover, the volunteer organization offers a variety of activities that can help relatives or friends of those with a mental illness find the information and support that will give them strength to help their loved one be as healthy as possible.

. A 12-week course will be held Wednesday evenings beginning March 5 at Acadia Hospital. Topics include: understanding major mental illnesses, coping with psychiatric crisis, communicating with patient and doctor, understanding the brain and medications, treatment plans, self-care and advocacy. Speakers are held for some classes. Space is limited. To register, call Nancy at 223-5686.

. The Bangor NAMI Support Group, for relatives and friends of those with mental illnesses, meets at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Acadia Hospital, 268 Stillwater Ave.

. The third Tuesday of each month, education night is held during the Bangor NAMI Support Group meeting at Acadia. There is a speaker for that meeting, or a workshop on mental health issues.

. Once a month, in a separate activity, NAMI offers a two-hour workshop at Acadia Hospital for families who sign up through the hospital.

Those who attend activities sponsored by NAMI are dealing with a variety of mental illnesses. Their relative may have bipolar disease, major depression, schizophrenia or some other illness, for example.

In addition, officials explained, the organization advocates for families who need help in accessing services and helps them find information on resources in the area.

NAMI is a nonprofit organization, and the Bangor group is affiliated with NAMI Maine and the national NAMI in Virginia.

For more information on the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, call NAMI Maine in Augusta at (800) 464-5767.