The National Alliance on Mental Illness will offer a series of 12 weekly classes, starting April 11, for families of people diagnosed with serious mental illnesses.

Classes will examine the symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disease, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders, as well as offer coping skills, basic information about medications, listening and communication techniques, problem solving, recovery and rehabilitation and self-care.

The free course is designed specifically for parents, siblings, spouses, teenaged and adult children, and significant others of persons with severe and persistent psychiatric disabilities; it is not intended for individuals who themselves suffer from mental illness.

Class size is limited to 25 people with advance registration required.

For more information or to register, call 508-778-4277 or 508-627-5249, or e-mail info@namicapecod.org.