Health News

Classes set on childhood mental illness

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Bangor will sponsor a free 12-week education class, “Living with Childhood Mental Illness,” for parents and guardians of children diagnosed with mental illnesses. The classes will be held 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 11 through April 28, in the Penobscot Room at Acadia Hospital.

The program is structured to help caregivers understand and support their ill child or children while maintaining their own well-being. Each class will provide free handouts on the particular subject for that class. The following topics will be covered:

. Child development.

. Biology of mental illness.

. Medications and appropriate treatments.

. Behavioral techniques for managing mood disorders.

. High-risk children.

. Crisis situations.

. Family rights.

. Working with schools.

. Finances.

. Self-care and solving problems.

A phone interview is required to register, and space is limited. Walk-ins are not permitted to enroll. To register, call Sue at 945-5152.