UNITARIAN CHURCH OF LOS ALAMOS

Most people today are familiar with depression and anxiety, but there is far less public understanding of more severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychosis, and borderline personality disorder – conditions that can profoundly affect individuals, families and communities.  Because these illnesses often begin in young adulthood and can alter a person’s sense of reality, families frequently find themselves navigating confusion, stigma and complex systems of care.

This presentation, offered by NAMI Santa Fe (National Alliance on Mental Illness), will explore what serious mental illness can look like in real life, the challenges families often face in recognizing and responding to symptoms, and the resources that can make recovery possible.

Drawing on NAMI education and support programs and lived experiences from individuals and families, the talk will highlight how NAMI helps with community awareness, support, and advocacy to make a meaningful difference for those living with these conditions.

Betty Sisneros Shover and Jonathan Gordon, MD, will give this live presentation, starting at noon on Sunday, April 12, at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, located at 1738 North Sage Street.  This talk is part of the Forum program, which endeavors to educate the public about issues that affect the community.  It is independent of the religious mission of the church.