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 Summer/early Fall and in the late Winter/early Spring.. 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 Cape Cod & the Islands Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Thursdays, starting April 1
6 – 8:30 pm
contact for more information: Lisa at namionthevineyard@namicapecod.org
NAMI North Central/Greater Lowell Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Wednesdays, starting April 7th
6:30 – 9 pm
contact for more information:
- Paul at pbois56@gmail.com or 978-514-2942
- Dick at rhedgar@verizon.net or 978-808-7991
NAMI Metrowest Family-to-Family class
(all Massachusetts participants welcome)
Thursdays, starting April 15
6:30 – 9 pm
contact for more information: Mary at 508-581-0874 or novmam55@yahoo.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
Looking for additional family support options?
Check out our Family Support resource page.
You can also contact our COMPASS helpline. Learn more about COMPASS.