Signature Programs - Classes
NAMI's Signature Programs offer helpful and practical information for people coping with mental health concerns, either about their own mental health or a loved one's mental health condition. The classes are free and taught by volunteers who have been trained in the NAMI models and have relevant personal experience. Check out NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, and NAMI Basics below.
NAMI Family-to-Family
For family members and friends of adults with a mental health condition
NAMI Family to Family is an eight week class for families, partners and friends of individuals with mental illness. The course is designed to facilitate a better understanding of mental illness, increase coping skills and empower participants to become advocates for their family members.
Next Available Class: Fall 2024
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.
NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises. What You’ll Gain
NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you'll also find out that you're not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope.
The group setting of NAMI Family-to-Family provides mutual support and shared positive impact—experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Sharing your own experience may help others in your class. In the program, you'll learn about:
-
How to solve problems and communicate effectively
-
Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
-
Supporting your loved one with compassion
-
Finding and using local supports and services
-
Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
-
How to handle a crisis
-
Current treatments and therapies
-
The impact of mental health conditions on the entire family
What People Are Saying
NAMI Basics
For family members and friends of children and youth with a mental health condition
NAMI Basics is for parents, guardians and other family caregivers who provide care for youth (age 22 or younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms, whether or not a diagnosis has been made. The six-class program is taught by trained parents who have had similar experiences with their own children.
Next Available Class: Fall 2024
NAMI Basics covers:
-
Managing crises, solving problems and communicating effectively
-
How to take care of yourself and handle stress
-
Developing the confidence and stamina to support your child with compassion
-
Advocating for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings
-
Learning about current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects
-
Gaining an overview of the public mental health care, school and juvenile justice systems
-
Understanding the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on your entire family
Registration is required for our education programs
All classes are held either virtually using Zoom or in a hybrid format, both in person and on Zoom.