Next NAMI Family-to-Family Class
When: October 3rd – November 21st, Thursdays 6:00-8:30pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Who: Adults with a loved one (child, spouse, sibling, etc.) living with a mental health challenge, whether diagnosed or not.
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 Will 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.
NAMI Family-to-Family includes:
- 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
A Toolkit of Information
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Up-to-date information on a range of mental illnesses and their impact on the brain.
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Current research on treatments including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects.
Training in Preparedness and Emotional Resiliency
- Skills related to managing crises, solving problems and communicating effectively
- Strategies for self-care including management of stress and emotional overload
- Guidance on locating appropriate local supports and services
A Community
- Perhaps most importantly, as a participant you can gain comfort in knowing you are not alone. Recovery is a journey and there is hope for all families and individuals dealing with a brain disorder. The in-person group experience of NAMI Basics provides the opportunity for mutual support and positive impact. You can experience compassion and reinforcement from people who relate to your experiences. Through your participation, you have the opportunity to help others grow.
“The course gave me hope that it will be okay, that I am not alone and reduced a lot of shame, guilt and hopelessness.”
“I wish I’d known about this seven years ago when the problem began. I felt safe in this class. I was able to talk about things I haven’t been comfortable expressing elsewhere.”
“Before I took the course, I felt alone and overwhelmed dealing with my daughter’s mental illness. By taking this course, I have met others who are going through the same things I am and have learned about many resources that I never knew existed.”
“I thought my wife and I knew just about everything there is to know about the system and the illness. Boy, were we wrong. Without a doubt, this is the best support course I have had the privilege of taking part in, bar none.”
Find NAMI Basics at another NAMI Affiliate office:
Need Support Now?
Join a Family Support Group today! NAMI Family Support Groups are peer-led and are for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. You must be 18+ to join this group.