Find support and education for family members of people who are dealing with mental health symptoms
Family Support & Education
NAMI Family Support Groups
NAMI Family Support groups are free support groups for family members, friends, and other caregivers of people diagnosed with a mental health condition. Groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators and provide a safe, private, and non-judgmental setting.
Family Support Program Network
Family Support Programs offer support groups, one-to-one support, and more for family members of children and teens dealing with emotional or behavioral challenges.
- Parent Information Network
serving Southeastern Massachusetts - Parent Professional Advocacy League
serving Central Massachusetts - The Support Network
serving Western Massachusetts - The Home for Little Wanderers
serving Suffolk County - Wayside
serving Northeastern Massachusetts
DBSA Family & Friends Support Groups
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides information, education, and support to people with diagnosed with mood disorders and others impacted by them. They offer support groups and online support forums for family and friends.
Hearing Voices Network Family & Friends Support Group
This group provides a space where people can discuss navigating the experience of supporting loved ones who may hear voices, have visions, and generally have a variety non-consensus experiences and beliefs. The group’s primary focus is on supporting family members and friends to examine their own challenges in being present for such situations and relationships. The group operates in keeping with the values of the HVN-USA Charter.
MIA Online Parent Support Groups
Mad in America parent support groups offer a space where parents can exchange information and share experiences to foster a dialogue that goes beyond the predominant mainstream medical treatment model. These moderated support groups are designed to help parents feel less alone as they struggle to best help their children.
NAMI Family-to-Family
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free 8-week class for family members of people diagnosed with mental health conditions. It covers communication techniques, coping skills, treatment options, and more.
NAMI Homefront Online
NAMI Homefront Online is a free, 6-session program for family members and other caregivers of military service members and veterans diagnosed with mental health conditions. It is designed to address the unique needs of caregivers of those who have served or are currently serving our country.
NAMI Basics & Basics OnDemand
NAMI Basics is a free class for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with emotional and behavioral issues. Participants will learn communication tips, how to problem-solve, and the skills to help you cope with the emotional impact of caring for your child.
NAMI Basics is also available online, on demand. NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, 6-module course. It covers the same material as the in-person NAMI Basics classes. The Connect & Share option in NAMI Basics OnDemand offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to share stories, support, and interact with each other in an online setting.
Recovering Our Families Online Class
Recovering Our Families Online Class is an 8-week program for family members of people who are or have navigated the mental health system. The class provides a strengths-based recovery oriented approach to move families past fear and confusion into new states of wholeness, well-being, and connectedness. Led by family members and people in recovery. There is a cost associated with this program.
Family Connections
Family Connections is a free 12-week course that provides education, skills training, and support for family members and other supporters of people who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Family Connections was created by the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder. Focusing on issues that are specific to BPD, is led by trained group leaders who are usually family members of people diagnosed with BPD.
Looking for other Family Support options?
Contact the NAMI Mass Compass Helpline. Compass is available Monday through Friday, 10 am – 6 pm. Call us at 617-704-6264 or email us at compass@namimass.org.