Compeer offering two mental health education programs starting in April

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a non-profit organization which offers public education and support programming. Our Compeer Program is offering two beneficial NAMI programs, “Hearts and Minds” and “Peer To Peer,” starting this April.  Both programs are open to all Cuyahoga County adult residents who are managing mental illness. 

We are very fortunate to have both these NAMI programs available at the Far West Center in Westlake! Both Hearts and Minds and Peer To Peer are confidential, informative, thought provoking and fun. Also, both groups are offered free of cost.

Hearts and Minds is a peer education program designed to promote sound holistic “mind and body” health practices. Program topics include healthy eating, exercise goals and relaxation methods. Program members participate in facilitated discussions, are given support on working toward personalized health goals, try movement exercises, receive guided relaxation and get to sample healthy snacks. Hearts and Minds is facilitated by Jody Bell, a NAMI-certified peer support specialist. This group is held at Far West Center on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 3-4:30 p.m. No registration is required.    

The Peer To Peer recovery education program is a free, ten-week course that teaches techniques for self-empowerment, coping and interpersonal communication. Also, Peer To Peer offers an opportunity for fellowship and meeting new people. Peer To Peer has been a successful NAMI support program for many years. 

Our ten-week session of Peer To Peer at Far West Center will begin on Thursday, April 5, and be held weekly until June 7. It will meet on Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. Jody Bell is an experienced Peer To Peer mentor and will be conducting this program. Prior registration is required for this program. Interested adults can call Jody at 440-835-6212, ext. 263, to register and receive more information.

Please call the Far West Center at 440-835-6212 for information on Hearts and Minds, Peer To Peer and Compeer. Far West Center is our community’s non-profit mental health services agency dedicated to providing services which promote mental health recovery. Far West Center is located on the health campus of St. John Medical Center, building number four. Far West Center is a United Way agency and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. 

Mental illness is a physical illness that is most often related to an imbalance of naturally occurring body chemicals.  Accurate information on mental illness and a listing of support groups is available online at the NAMI Greater Cleveland website: www.namigreatercleveland.org. Westlake and Bay Village residents are welcome to become active members of NAMI Greater Cleveland.   

Denise Ayres

The Compeer Program serves adults that are managing mental illness from our Far West Center office.

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Volume 4, Issue 6, Posted 11:53 AM, 03.20.2012