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 Cambridge-Middlesex/Boston Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Tuesdays, starting September 28th
6:30 – 9 pm by Zoom
contact for more information and registration:
- Dominique at dzarrellaa@gmail.com or 508-662-9214
- Francis at francis_burnett@yahoo.com or 781-724-6554
NAMI Central Middlesex Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Tuesdays, starting October 12th
6:30 – 9 pm
contact for more information and registration:
- Phyllis at phyllis.terrey100@gmail.com or 978-973-3995
- Sara at doddsarah25@gmail.com or 339-223-3146
NAMI Cape Ann Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Wednesdays, starting October 20th
6:30 – 9 pm
contact for more information and registration:
- Dori at glenndori@verizon.net or 978-948-0807
- George at gehowe@comcast.net or 978-356-3252
NAMI Newton-Wellesley Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Thursdays, starting October 21st
6:30 – 9 pm
contact for more information and registration:
- Suzi at Suzinewman@verizon.net or 781-724-2709
- Ruth at RutheK12@gmail.com or 617-852-3612
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.