NAMI peer-to-peer training, anyone taken this before?

I am going to go to a NAMI peer-to-peer training session about mental health.
I will go tomorrow and check it out. I may not be able to go every monday night due to other conflicts/commitments.
It meets at 6pm for a light supper then training starts at 6;30 to 8;30pm.
I know the leader of the training sessions, Denver. He is active at the state level. Denver is a bit loud but gets his message across which is good.
And he is an advocate for all folks with mental health issues.
Bizi
Has anyone taken this training before?

I have not done it yet but I am signed up for one here starting this Tuesday night.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, 10-session educational program for adults with mental illness who are looking to better understand their condition and journey toward recovery.
Taught by a trained team of people who've been there, the program includes presentations, discussion and interactive exercises. Everything is confidential, and NAMI never recommends a specific medical therapy or treatment approach.
What You’ll Gain

This in-person group experience provides the opportunity for mutual support and positive impact. You can experience compassion and reinforcement from people who relate to your experiences. Through your participation, you have the opportunity to help others grow. This is a confidential place to learn from shared experiences in an environment of sincere, uncritical acceptance. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope for all people living with mental illness.
NAMI Peer-to-Peer helps you:

• Create a personalized relapse prevention plan
• Learn how to interact with health care providers
• Develop confidence for making decisions and reducing stress
• Stay up-to-date on mental health research
• Understand the impact of symptoms on your life
• Access practical resources on how to maintain your journey toward recovery

That's the same one as here. Not sure what to expect either. I did go to one support group meeting with NAMI so far but that was different than the class I believe.

I did it 5 years ago and liked it. My therapist made me do it (I needed IOP and it wasn't available for me). I have a degree in psychology and a master's in a related field and worked with psychiatric patients most of my career and I still learned plenty. It was good to be in a group where it was ok to be sick since I was so sick myself at that point.

I am happy that it helped you.
Sorry you were so sick.
I am hoping you are better these days???
bizi

Yes, I'm much better than I was then.

Where I went completing the class lets you have access to special support groups and social activities. I haven't been able to do that because it is too far away but it's a nice idea.

Thank you for this thread. I've never heard of or completed this program but will be looking into it. Best wishes on your training.

Hi Jennifer!
Let us know how it is going.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is an outstanding program. It has a really high success rate.

I'm a facilitator of a weekly NAMI Connection group, which is also an excellent NAMI program.

Good luck!

You are so fortunate. They only have this program in a handful of states and mine is not one of them. :/ I have requested that they start one up. Enjoy your training!

Went to the first session. There ended up being 14 people there. They fed us chicken salad which was very good!.
I was frustrated toward the end because they did not have a visual aid for something they were talking about creating a chart but I did not understand what they were telling me to do. They finally explained it and passed around the chart piece of paper with the chart drawn out.
sigh
This is the first time for them to teach this peer to peer training class. They had been trying to get it together since january.
Even though I was frustrated, I will continue to go.
bizi
I know we are lucky to have this training.
One member kept bringing up religion....
heavy sigh
bizi

Thanks for the update bizi. I start mine tomorrow.

Jennifer, do they have NAMI presence where you are?

Thanks JB. Let us know how it goes, OK?
bizi

I started last night. We have quite a few people. I think it is going to be good for me but I really am struggling when I go out to these things. For me going stresses out my anxiety the whole day. I really have a hard time after leaving because it's like all these issues I have been pushing under and not dealing with hit me at once like a Mack truck. This is nothing toward them though as that is completely on me. I think it is going to be something good for me and plan to continue going. I do not want to go back down that old road again and I have been feeling myself heading that direction for a bit now. If nothing else I hope this will help me deal and also give me some coping skills. I desperately need both!

JB
Thanks for the report.
I am glad that you are going to stick with it as I know it can help you learn new coping skills.
Good luck in this journey toward better mental health.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Thank you Bizi. Hope it does well for you too.

2nd week for me, a bit frustrating as I can't seem to catch on to directions when they are not clear. others were confused too.
I will still go. At least it is a practice in learning some patience....
bizi

Hi bizi, If you don't understand the directions be sure to speak with the facilitator after the session.

I speak up right as I am confused. I know that others must be confused as well, some one has to speak up!
bizi