NAMI Family-to-Family is NAMI’s flagship education program for family members of people diagnosed with mental health conditions. This free, 8-week program is facilitated by trained volunteers who are family members, caring for their loved ones themselves.

The class provides family caretakers with education about mental health conditions, skills workshops, and information about available resources. The NAMI Family-to-Family curriculum includes:
- Information about mental health conditions and treatments
- Coping skills, handling crisis and relapse, local and national resources
- Listening and communication techniques
- Problem solving, limit setting, self-care
Most importantly, the class offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. Class participants, now more than 400,000 people nationwide, find that the Family-to-Family experience empowers them to understand and pursue paths toward healthy recovery for their loved ones, their families, and themselves.
Please note that our NAMI Family-to-Family classes are currently offered both virtually and in-person. Pre-registration is required.
For in-person classes, please review our guidance for in-person programs during COVID-19 before attending.
We encourage you to register for the class based in your area, but classes are open to all. View our map to find the NAMI affiliate in your area.
NAMI Cambridge Middlesex Family-to-Family class – Virtual
Thursdays, starting September 21st
6:00 – 8:30 pm
For more information: Dominique Zarrella (dzarrellaa@gmail.com) and Yolanta Kovalko (kovalkoyolanta9@gmail.com)
Still accepting registrants!
NAMI Western Mass Family-to-Family class – In-Person
Tuesdays, starting September 19th UPDATE: Now starting September 26th
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
For more information: Susan Sharbaugh at suesharbaugh@gmail.com, and daris.emerson@bhnic.org
NAMI Central Middlesex Family-to-Family class – Virtual
Tuesdays, starting September 26th
6:00 – 8:30 pm
For more information: Steve Hadden at shadden@hadlorgroup.com and Lindsay Farnum at linzbfar@gmail.com
NAMI Central Mass Family-to-Family class – Virtual
Mondays, starting September 25th UPDATE: Now starting October 9th
6:30 – 9:00 pm
For more information: Robin Bahr-Casey at robinbahr1@gmail.com; Joy Cummings cummingspj@worcesterma.gov
NAMI Central Middlesex Family-to-Family class – Virtual
Tuesdays, starting October 10th
6:30 – 9:00 pm
For more information: Phyllis at phyllis.terrey100@gmail.com or 978-973-3995
Curso Virtual de Familia a Familia – NAMI Spanish-Language Family-to-Family class – Virtual
Lunes, 16 de Octubre
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Para más información: NAMI Western Mass en information@namiwm.org o 413-786-9139; o Tamari en tamari_c@yahoo.com
NAMI Newton Wellesley Family-to-Family class – Virtual
Thursdays, starting October 19th
6:30 – 9:00 pm
For more information: Suzi Newman at suzinewman9844@gmail.com, Ruth Kandel at ruthek12@gmail.com
Check out our Family Support resource page.
You can also contact our Compass helpline. Learn more about Compass.
Ilya Cherkasov, MS
(he/him/his)
Senior Manager, Education & Support
617-286-7607
icherkasov@namimass.org
Eliza T. Williamson, M.Ed, MFA, CPS
Deputy Director of Programs
617-286-7616
ewilliamson@namimass.org