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EDUCATION

Across the country, thousands of trained NAMI volunteers bring peer-led programs to a wide variety of community settings, from churches to schools to NAMI Affiliates. With the unique understanding of people with lived experience, these programs provide outstanding free education, skills training and support. 

NAMI BASICS

NAMI Basics is a free six-week peer-directed education program developed specifically for parents and other caregivers of children who have either been diagnosed with a mental illness or are experiencing symptoms but have not yet been diagnosed. The course is taught by trained facilitators with extensive relevant experience.

 

Contact your local affiliate for upcoming classes. 

NAMI family-to-family

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free eight-week course for families, partners and friends of individuals with mental illness taught by trained NAMI family members and caregivers of individuals living with mental illness.

 

Contact your local affiliate for upcoming classes. 

NAMI homefront

NAMI Homefront is a free, six-session education program for family, friends and significant others of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions. It focuses on the unique needs of military and veteran communities, such as post-deployment and post-discharge transitions. 

 

Contact your local affiliate for upcoming classes. 

What people are saying 

NAMI BASICS

This is such a great step-by-step program that walks parents through every step. It’s as if they’re holding your hand through it all.

NAMI HOMEFRONT

This training has been really helpful for me to process much of my own emotions. I am at a point now that being able to stop and look back at exactly how far we've come and being reminded of the painful past but positive changes was very empowering.

NAMI FAMILY-TO-FAMILY

The course gave me hope that it will be okay, that I am not alone and reduced a lot of shame, guilt and hopelessness.

guiding principles of nami programs

Mental health and wellness is 

  • Possible for anyone 

  • An integral part of our overall health 

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NAMI programs 

  • Inspire hope through shared stories of recovery and resiliency

  • Are led by peers, people with similar life experience

  • Provide a sense of community 

  • Provide current information about mental health conditions and treatment options 

  • Teach communication and problem-solving skills 

  • Promote resilience, self-care and self-advocacy 

  • Value the unique perspective of each participant

  • Promote inclusion

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Recovery is

  • Defined differently by each person 

  • Guided by individual priorities and goals 

  • Strengthened when pursued early in life 

  • Enhanced by support from people with similar life experiences

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Shared qualities of NAMI national education programs

  • A formal diagnosis  is not necessary for a person, or their family members, to participate in and benefit from a NAMI program

  • All programs are free to program participants

  • Programs are peer-led by people who have lived through mental health struggles and have valuable life experiences to share

  • NAMI national education programs use a “train the trainer” model. Trainers are extensively screened and complete intensive training to receive certification. They then train new peer leaders to offer programs in their communities

  • The programs are built around standardized manuals so that information is presented accurately in a structured way

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