Those who are suffering from a mental health issue or have family members who are affected may find hope and support by attending the Mental Health Issues and the Effects on the Family seminar this weekend.

The workshop will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Troy Recreation Center.

The seminar is sponsored by the African American Community Outreach Enrichment Program and is designed to help improve the lives of those who are affected by mental health issues including schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety and depression.

“We have two speakers who will be able to provide valuable information and insight from a personal perspective,” said Angela McCray, a member of the outreach enrichment program. “Both are members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which is the national voice on mental illness. Adele Morgan is schizophrenic and also bipolar. She will speak from personal experience about her dark days and how she has overcome them. She will also give encouragement to others by telling them how she is able to maintain her sanity and not go back to the dark days.”

Morgan’s mother, Zoe Newby, will also speak to the group about ways that she found to cope and deal with her daughter’s mental illnesses.

“The seminar will include a question and answer session and this will be an opportunity to ask specific questions that relate to the situations of those attending the seminar,” McCrary said. Refreshments will be served and there is no charge for the seminar.

“The African American Community Outreach Enrichment Program is a newly organized group that works to make a positive difference in the community,” McCray said.

“The group sponsors a monthly event designed to meet a specific need of the community.”