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 virtually. We encourage you to register for the class based in your area.
Northeastern Mass Family-to-Family classes
Metro Boston Family-to-Family classes
Southeastern Mass Family-to-Family classes
Central Mass Family-to-Family classes
Upcoming NAMI Family-to-Family Classes
Please note that our NAMI Family-to-Family classes are currently offered virtually. Pre-registration is required. We encourage you to register for the class based in your area. View our map to find the NAMI affiliate in your area!
NAMI Newton-Wellesley & NAMI Metrowest Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 13th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Jim at jim@sailboatstogo.com
- Sharon at sharonbassett3@gmail.com
NAMI Central-Middlesex Family-to-Family class
Mondays, starting October 17th
6 – 8:30 pm
For more information:
- Patti at pjsardella56@gmail.com or 978-621-1065
- Lindsay at linzbfar@gmail.com or 781-864-7003
NAMI Newton-Wellesley Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 20th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Suzi at suzinewman@verizon.net or 781-724-2709
- Ruth at Ruthek12@gmail.com or 617-852-3612.
NAMI Greater Lowell Family-to-Family class
Mondays, starting October 20th
7 – 9:30 pm
For more information: Dick at rhedgar@verizon.net
NAMI Central Middlesex Family-to-Family class
Tuesdays, starting October 25th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Sara at doddsara25@gmail.com or 339-223-3146
- Phyllis at phyllis.terrey100@gmail.com or 978-973-3995
Greater North Shore Family-to-Family class
Tuesdays, starting January 10th
6 – 8:30 pm
For more information: Pat at rileypatricia313@gmail.com or 617-548-7037
NAMI Newton-Wellesley & NAMI Metrowest Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 13th
Time 6:30-9:00 pm
For more information:
- Jim at jim@sailboatstogo.com
- Sharon at sharonbassett3@gmail.com
NAMI Newton-Wellesley Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 20th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Suzi at suzinewman@verizon.net or 781-724-2709
- Ruth at Ruthek12@gmail.com or 617-852-3612.
NAMI Newton-Wellesley & NAMI Metrowest Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 13th
Time 6:30-9:00 pm
For more information:
- Jim at jim@sailboatstogo.com
- Sharon at sharonbassett3@gmail.com
NAMI Central-Middlesex Family-to-Family class
Mondays, starting October 17th
6 – 8:30 pm
For more information:
- Patti at pjsardella56@gmail.com or 978-621-1065
- Lindsay at linzbfar@gmail.com or 781-864-7003
NAMI Newton-Wellesley Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 20th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Suzi at suzinewman@verizon.net or 781-724-2709
- Ruth at Ruthek12@gmail.com or 617-852-3612.
NAMI Central Middlesex Family-to-Family class
Tuesdays, starting October 25th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Sara at doddsara25@gmail.com or 339-223-3146
- Phyllis at phyllis.terrey100@gmail.com or 978-973-3995
NAMI Newton-Wellesley & NAMI Metrowest Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 13th
Time 6:30-9:00 pm
For more information:
- Jim at jim@sailboatstogo.com
- Sharon at sharonbassett3@gmail.com
NAMI Central-Middlesex Family-to-Family class
Mondays, starting October 17th
6 – 8:30 pm
For more information:
- Patti at pjsardella56@gmail.com or 978-621-1065
- Lindsay at linzbfar@gmail.com or 781-864-7003
NAMI Newton-Wellesley Family-to-Family class
Thursdays, starting October 20th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Suzi at suzinewman@verizon.net or 781-724-2709
- Ruth at Ruthek12@gmail.com or 617-852-3612.
NAMI Greater Lowell Family-to-Family class
Mondays, starting October 20th
7 – 9:30 pm
For more information: Dick at rhedgar@verizon.net
NAMI Central Middlesex Family-to-Family class
Tuesdays, starting October 25th
6:30 – 9 pm
For more information:
- Sara at doddsara25@gmail.com or 339-223-3146
- Phyllis at phyllis.terrey100@gmail.com or 978-973-3995
Greater North Shore Family-to-Family class
Tuesdays, starting January 10th
6 – 8:30 pm
For more information: Pat at rileypatricia313@gmail.com or 617-548-7037
Looking for additional family support options?
Check out our Family Support resource page.
You can also contact our Compass helpline. Learn more about Compass.
Volunteering with NAMI Family-to-Family
Volunteer as a NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher
The NAMI Family-to-Family course is taught by two NAMI-trained teachers who have first-hand experience as a parent or family caregiver of a person who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Are you interested in becoming a Family-to-Family teacher? Contact Ilya Cherkasov, Director of Family Programs.
Supplemental Resources for Family-to-Family Teachers (login required).
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