NAMI Family-to-Family logo

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.

Upcoming NAMI Family-to-Family Classes

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.

Sep 21

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!

Sep 26

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

Sep 26

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

Oct 09

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

Oct 10

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

Oct 16

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

Oct 19

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

Looking for additional family support options?

Check out our Family Support resource page.

You can also contact our Compass helpline. Learn more about Compass.

NAMI Massachusetts Compass Helpline logo
Support for this program is provided in part by:
Contact us for more information about NAMI Family-to-Family:

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