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 course 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 course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. Course 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, but you are welcome to sign up for any class that works for your schedule.
Upcoming NAMI Family-to-Family Courses
Our NAMI Family-to-Family classes are offered throughout a year, with most starting in the late Winter/early Spring and the late Summer/early Fall. Pre-registration is required.
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, but you are welcome to sign up for any class that works for your schedule. View our map to find the NAMI affiliate in your area!
NAMI Metrowest/Western Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Thursdays, starting January 6th
6:30 – 9:00 pm
contact for more information and registration:
- Mary at novmam55@yahoo.com or 508-581-0874
NAMI Central Mass Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Mondays, starting January 10th
6:30 – 9 pm
contact for more information and registration:
- Joy at cummingspj@worcesterma.gov or 774-535-2656
- Robin at robinbahr1@gmail.com or 774-239-3263
NAMI Central-Middlesex Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Tuesdays, starting January 11th
6:30 – 9 pm
contact for more information and registration:
- Phyllis at Phyllis.Terrey100@gmail.com or 977-973-3995
- Sara at sara25@gmail.com or 339-223-3146
NAMI Cambridge-Middlesex Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Saturdays, starting February 19th
9:30 am – 12 pm
contact for more information and registration:
- Carolyn at carolyn@nami-cambridgemiddlesex.org
- Linda at mojolb2@gmail.com
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.
Volunteer to support NAMI Family-to-Family
Volunteers help with program development, outreach, promotion, and more. Volunteer to support NAMI Family-to-Family – fill out our volunteer application!
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)
Director of Family Programs
617-580-8541 x 219
icherkasov@namimass.org
Eliza T. Williamson, M.Ed, MFA, CPS
Deputy Director of Programs
617-580-8541 x 221
ewilliamson@namimass.org
Looking for additional family support options?
Check out our Family Support resource page.
You can also contact our Compass helpline. Learn more about Compass.