“Colorado Visions 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 amount of knowlege I am getting. I can’t wait for each workshop!” – Class Participant
The course is aimed to give information and experience to caregivers of children with brain disorders. This is a family member-to-family member course. Teachers are trained family members who have experienced firsthand the rewards and the challenges of raising children with mental illness. The course gives caregivers the opportunity to share mutual experiences and learn valuable lessons from one another.
Course Topics
Introduction/Brain Biology
ADD/ADHS, PDD/Autism, Tourette’s Disorder, Conduct Disorder
Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Eating Disorders
Early Onset Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective
Organization of Data and Record Keeping
Coping and Self Care
Rehabilitation, Recovery, and Transition
Anxiety Disorders: Obsessive-Compulsive, Post-Traumatic Stress, Separation Anxiety,
Panic, Phobia, Generalized Anxiety
Empathy & Sharing Our Unique Life Experiences
Communication – With Each Other and With Our Children
Problem Management
Advocacy, Judicial, and Stigma
Colorado Visions is provided free of charge to families and direct primary caregivers.
NAMI highly recommends Colorado Visions for all those who are direct primary caregivers. Depending on family circumstances this could be parents, older siblings, an extended family member (aunt, uncle, grandparent), respite care giver, or foster parent.
“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, energizing us to move forward in life.” – Course Participant
In Colorado Springs, we usually have two Colorado Visions courses each year. Call the NAMI office, 719-473-8477, for class schedules and to sign up.
NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI organizations in every state and in over 1100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission through advocacy, research, support, and education.
