CBHCARE ANNOUNCES FAMILY EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS

Lyndhurst, NJ (May 5, 2009) Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) of Bergen County, a program administered by Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. (CBHCare) is pleased to announce its second Family Educational Workshop Series of 2009. These workshops are for families who have a relative diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness.

This 8-week program meets 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at BERGEN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: Behavioral Health Pavilion, Room E218, 230 East Ridgewood Ave., Paramus, NJ 07652. The series is FREE and open to the public; however advance registration is required. Please call Lara Zucker, Intensive Family Support Services Coordinator, CBHCare, at (201) 646-0333 for additional information or to register.

WEEK 1: May 12, 2009
INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF MAJOR MENTAL ILLNESS
Discussion of Schizophrenia, Depression and Bipolar Disorder

WEEK 2: May 19, 2009
DUAL DIAGNOSIS: MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Discussion of Treatment Options, How to Support Your Loved One, How to get Support for Yourself

WEEK 3: May 26, 2009
STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Discussion about Effects of Stigma and How to Act Against It

WEEK 4: June 2, 2009
WHEN HOMELESSNESS HITS HOME
*Discussion about Services for Individuals with Mental Illness who are Homeless or
at Risk of Becoming Homeless

WEEK 5: June 9, 2009
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Common Difficulties in Communication *Methods of Limit Setting *Problem Solving

WEEK 6: June 16, 2009
STAGES OF ACCEPTANCE
Changing Expectations, *Accepting what Can't Be Changed

WEEK 7: June 23, 2009
DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
Discussion of Services Provided by DVR that Assist Consumers in Getting to Work

WEEK 8: June 30, 2009
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Discussion about Estate Planning, *Special Needs Trusts

Intensive Family Support Services is a county-wide support program for families of relatives with mental illness. The program is based on the belief that, despite recent improvements in treatment and community services, family members often take an active role in care for a mentally ill relative. This can be an especially difficult and challenging task - IFSS provides tangible coping skills to address these challenges. IFSS is open to all Bergen County families with a mentally ill relative; the family member does not have to be in treatment for the family to receive services.

Founded in 1969 in response to the critical need for counseling services in the community, CBHCare is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest quality of behavioral healthcare services to the people of New Jersey. Over the past 40 years, CBHCare has expanded its services to all ages - from children to seniors.

With treatment centers in Lyndhurst, Hackensack and River Edge, CBHCare offers quality mental health services including individual and family counseling; rehabilitation; alcohol and substance abuse treatment; the Valley Brook Center for Geriatric Partial Care; residential, and preventive services - making CBHCare one of the most vital and important healthcare resources in northern New Jersey.

<###>