Mental Illness Course. NAMI's Family-to-Family, a free 12-week course for family members of individuals with severe mental illnesses, will be offered in Arlington on Saturdays. The course introduces caregivers to the skills needed to cope with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, clinical depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Also discussed is the clinical treatment of these illnesses. Free. Call Anne Taylor at 703-318-7487 or Betsy Greer at 703-525-8616.
NAMI-Arlington will host its monthly support group meeting for family members and friends of persons suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 North Glebe Road. Call Betsy Greer at 703-525-8616.
Virginia Hospital Center presents "Health Talks," a free series of informative discussions and screenings led by doctors and other health professionals at the John T. Hazel, M.D., Conference Center, 1701 N. George Mason Drive. Space is limited. Call 1-877-633-6483, or visit www.virginiahospitalcenter.com.
The Arlington Center for Well-Being, at 3800 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 5, offers workshops throughout the year. Call 703-522-7710 to register or confirm times and for fees:
* Inner Transformation, a weekly support group for people who want to look at personal issues that get in the way of healthy relationships. Requires a minimum six-week commitment on Sundays at 5 p.m. Cost is $45 per session.
* Depressives Action Group meets during the day on Wednesdays for people with mild depression. The group provides emotional support, and a task support system will help get through the week. Cost is $30 per session.
* Being Heard, Being Healed is a weekly group that gives members a place to share their stories and experiences for a healing transformation. Meets Thursdays, from 8-10 p.m.
Narcotics Anonymous is a support group for people who want to turn their life around from using drugs. The group meets at Drew Community Center, 3500 S. 24th St., on Tuesdays from 7:30-9 p.m. Call John Robinson at 703-979-7300.
Support for People with Mental Disabilities:
* The Children and Adolescents Network Support Group. Call Ellen Storck at 703-534-3440.
* Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders. Meets weekly on Wednesdays, from 7-9 p.m., at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, 3302 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Call Shannon Flynn at 703-527-0370.
* Depressive and Manic Depressives. Meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. at Falls Church Community Center, 223 N. Little Falls St. in Falls Church. Call Barbara Solow at 703-620-5538 or Marshall Epstein at 703-849-9401.
* Northern Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association. Meets the first Sunday of each month, at 4 p.m., at Independence Center, 3100 Clarendon Blvd. Call 703-978-3017, Ext. 30.
The Arlington Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AMI) invites persons seeking to be informed on mental health issues to its monthly Advocacy Meetings, which discuss treatment and services for the mentally ill in Arlington County. Call Richard and Betsy Greer at 703-525-8616.
Seniors in Action
The Arlington County Seniors in Action program offers a wide range of activities for seniors 55 and over. Fitness programs include aerobic exercise classes, strength training, walking groups, water aerobics, line dancing, square dancing, tennis, bowling, golf, yoga and Tai Chi. Seniors may join the Senior Adult Programs for $5 annually and access all activities. In some instances, an additional cost, such as $2 a class, may be necessary. Call 703-228-4744.
* Walking Clubs. The Walking Club of Arlington for seniors will go to Great Falls, VA at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 22. $2.50. Newcomers welcome. Arlington's Walking Sticks program for slower paced seniors will meet Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. and travel by van to Bon Air Park for a walk. Free. Newcomers welcome. To register for either of these events call Culpepper Garden Senior Center at 703-228-4403. The Dawson Terrace Senior Center's walking group will meet at Dawson Terrace Senior Center, 2133 N. Taft St., on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. Free. Newcomers welcome. Call 703-228-6300. The Lee Walkers from Lee Senior Center will travel to Rock Creek Park on Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. for their weekly fitness walk. $2.50. Newcomers welcome. To register call 703-228-0555. The early bird walkers at Madison Senior Center will meet for an hour's fitness walk at 7 a.m. Jan. 28. Free. Newcomers welcome. To register call 703-228-5285.
* Senior Travel. Arlington seniors will see a matinee performance of "Dame Edna" at the National Theatre Jan. 22. $71. Arlington seniors will see a matinee of "South Pacific" at Arena Stage Jan. 25. $45. Arlington Seniors will take a trip to the U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 28. $5. For these events call Arlington County Senior Adult Travel at 703-228-4749.
* Senior Wellness. Arlington County senior wellness programmer Kirsten Taranto will discuss "Better Communications With Your Peers and Your Children." Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Dawson Terrace Senior Center, 2133 N. Taft St. $3 for handbook. No fee for class. Call 703-228-6300.
* Line Dancing. A local dance instructor will be teaching line dancing to seniors at the Carver Community Center, 1415 S. Queen St. Jan. 22 at 10:15 a.m. No experience necessary. Partners not needed. Free. Call 703-228-5700.
* Men's group meeting. Famous Virginia fiddler Speedy Tolliver will be the guest at the Aurora Hills Senior Center men's group Jan. 22 at 1:30 p.m. Free. Newcomers welcome. Registration necessary. Call 703-228-5722.