BCB to host mental illness basics course

Building Community Bridges will host a series of classes intended to teach parents and family caregivers of youth (from children to age 22) who are experiencing mental illness symptoms.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Missouri (NAMI Missouri) will offer the free course.

The NAMI Basics course, which NAMI Missouri is to begin presenting at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at BCB, 213 E. Ashley St., consists of six weekly classes. Each class is 2.5 hours long on Thursdays.

Online registration is required at namimissouri.org/support-and-education/basics/#Courses.

"These trainings are for parents and caregivers of youth who have experienced mental illness," according to the NAMI website.

Diagnosing mental illness isn't straightforward, according to information provided by NAMI Missouri. Physicians can't test for it in the same way they might test for other diseases. Each situation has unique symptoms. Common signs or symptoms may include:

• Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks.

• Trying to harm oneself, or planning to do so.

• Out-of-control risk-taking that causes harm to self or others.

• Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason.

• Significant weight loss or gain.

• Seeing, hearing or believing things that aren't real.

• Excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

• Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleeping habits.

• Extreme difficulty concentrating.

• Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities.

Most NAMI Missouri teachers took NAMI Basics before taking further teacher training and receiving certification. The training is provided free of charge. Expenses are primarily paid through a contract with the Missouri Department of Mental Health.