Butler County's National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will host a Bridges of Hope presentation for members of the Butler County faith community at 6 p.m. Feb. 9.

The hourlong virtual presentation will be conducted via Zoom and includes a 30-minute talk followed by a question-and-answer session.

Topics will include what mental illness is, how it affects individuals and families and the role faith communities can play in helping families affected by serious mental illness.

It also explains what NAMI is and what it can offer individuals, families and faith communities.

NAMI Executive Director Donna Lamison said, “This is new for us. What we found is, quite often, people having struggles with mental illness are more likely to reach out to their clergy rather than a mental health professional.”

“We want to offer the faith community information on mental health just to keep them aware and to know what to do when someone reaches out on their own,” said Lamison.

Bridges of Hope is part of NAMI's FaithNet, an online resource that provides and promotes the creation and exchange of information and tools to help educate faith communities about mental illness and the role spirituality plays in recovery.

It's not a religious network, but a mental health education and awareness outreach to clergy and congregations of all faith traditions, as well as to individuals who seek faith as a component to their recovery.

The Rev. Mary Kitchen, pastor of East Butler Presbyterian Church, 900 Randolph Ave., East Butler, said she would be very interested in attending such a meeting.

Kitchen, who is also a member of the Butler Clergy Network, said she has had a member of her family who received a mental health diagnosis.

“I have seen the benefit of good mental health help and of the support of the faith community to those going through mental health issues,” Kitchen said.

Registration is required by Feb. 8 to receive a Zoom link for the presentation. For more information, visit www.nami.org or call 724-431-0069. Register at info@namibutler.org or 724-431-0069.

NAMI Butler County will also offer its Family-to-Family (F2F) course via Zoom beginning at 6 p.m. March 10.

F2F is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions.

The Wednesday classes continue through April 28, and all course materials are furnished at no cost.

Taught by trained family members with lived experience, it's designated as an evidenced-based program, which means research shows it significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of people closest to the person with a mental health condition.

Course topics include current treatments and therapies, finding local support services, handling crises, solving problems, communicating effectively with your ill loved one, managing your own stress and understanding the impact a mental health condition can have on family and friends.

Registration is open through March 3 by calling 724-431-0069 or emailing info@namibutler.org.