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The With Hope In Mind workshops (for families and friends of adults affected by mental illness) focus on symptoms of mood disorders, thought disorder, anxieties, substance abuse and other co-existing disorders. Definitions, symptoms, treatment concepts and empathy are
included. Additionally, information on medications,
wellness, coping skills, communication, self-care, problem management, advocacy, service systems and transition are included. Families and friends benefit from the opportunity to attend support groups prior to and after the workshops. Classes and support groups are facilitated by family and friends who have experienced the various cycles of emotions during their own journey with a person affected by
mental illness.
With
Hope In Mind: Beginnings: Symptomotology
of the childhood disorders is the focus: developmental disorders
(Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome),
disruptive behavioral disorders (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder), mood
disorders (depression, bipolar), thought disorders (schizophrenia,
schizoaffective), anxiety disorders (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,
phobias, panic, separation, generalized) and co-existing disorders.
Additionally, communication, problem management, coping and self-care
are stressed. Negotiating the various systems empower the
caregivers to advocate on behalf of their children and adolescents.
Transition into a support group provides the on-going support often
necessary to face the day-to-day challenges of living in the world of
brain disorders or serious emotional disorders.
Peer
Education is a major step in reaching out toward recovery. The focus
is on maintaining a level of wellness while learning about symptoms,
medications and side effects, coping skills, self-care and preventing
crises. Mood, thought, anxiety and co-existing disorders are
discussed in detail using several curricula as based on the needs of the
individuals in the workshops.
Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithms (TIMA) Patient Education
Consumer-to-Consumer education classes taught by consumers to other consumers, addressing the symptoms, treatments, coping skills and tips for the cycle of recovery. Also included in the TIMA Patient Program are video
presentations on bipolar, depression and schizophrenia, and a support group component.
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Living with Schizophrenia is a workshop presented by a consumer to other consumers, family members and/or professionals. It addresses the dark days of crisis/diagnosis, acceptance of the illness,
coping with the illness, the importance of medications, and goal-setting. LWS offers helpful suggestions and gives hope to those living with a mental illness. (1 ˝ - 2 hr.)
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Dark Glasses and Kaleidoscopes
is a workshop presented by a consumer to other consumers, family
members and/or professionals. DG&K follows
the same format as Living
with Schizophrenia, and addresses the same issues with mental
illness. However, DG&K is for those who deal with Bipolar
Disorder. (1 ˝ - 2hrs.)
What others say about our education workshops and support groups:
“With Hope In Mind:Beginnings is a must-do for those families who face the day-to-day challenges of taking care of their children/adolescents with brain disorders. I am impressed with the curriculum, teachers and the amount of knowledge I am getting. I can’t wait
for each workshop!”
“With Hope In Mind provides our family with additional information, which we cannot get from the professionals or books or the internet, to help us care for our loved ones and to understand the dynamics of mental illness. Additionally,
With Hope In Mind provides a circle of supportive and caring individuals
with similar challenges.”
“On an emotional level, the understanding, support and unconditional acceptance addressed our painful feelings of isolation. The wealth of information provided helped us to overcome the overwhelming sense of helplessness and identified what we could control while energizing us to move forward in life.”
“Support groups are the glue that keeps our family together. Two weeks is the longest period of time I can go without meeting with others who are traveling a similar journey. Through education and support groups, I remain healthy, focused and moving forward
with my own life while caring about others. Awareness is the first step on the journey with acceptance following shortly thereafter. It is through reaching out to others that I maintain my own level of wellness.”
-from families and friends who attend
workshops and support groups.
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