NAMI Family-to-Family logo

Due to the current COVID-19 public health emergency, there are changes to the Family-to-Family courses as listed below. 

  • Family-to-Family courses currently underway will continue regular class meetings using Zoom video-conferencing platform. This includes classes in the following locations: Belmont, Brookline, Charlestown, Cambridge, Waltham, Westborough, and Worcester,  They are NOT going to hold in-person sessions.
  • All start dates for Family-to-Family courses that have not commenced their class meetings yet are currently under revision. This includes the courses planned in: Harwich, Hingham, and Jamaica Plain.
  • The Cape Ann 8-week online course on Saturdays, 8:30 – 11:00 am, starting in April, exact date to be determined. Family members from any area of the state are encouraged to sign up. Pleasecontact Linda at 978-546-6102 or NAMI Cape Ann in Gloucester,MA at 978-281-1557 or namicapeann@verizon.net for more information and to register. 

 

Read our post about online and call-in support options, to find additional support that you can access during this time.

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free program for family members and other caregivers of people diagnosed with mental health conditions. The program is designed to help participants understand and support their loved one, while maintaining their own well-being.

NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained leaders who themselves are family members. They equip participants with the knowledge they need to navigate the mental health system, including:

  • the impact of mental illness on the entire family
  • information and insight about specific diagnoses
  • how to find community resources and treatment options
  • listening skills, communication skills, and empathy
  • how to manage a crisis and problem solve
  • taking care of yourself and managing your stress
  • genuine support and validation

Supplemental Resources for Family-to-Family Teachers (login required).

Upcoming NAMI Family-to-Family Courses

Our Family-to-Family courses typically start twice a year, in the late Winter to early Spring and then again in the late Summer to early Fall. Please check back as more courses will be scheduled!

April 2020

Hingham Family-to-Family Course

Wednesdays, starting April 1, 2020
6:30 – 9 pm

For more information and to register please contact: Molly and Brian Garrity
at mollyrgarrity@gmail.com, 617-653-6840, cell: 617-653-6840.

Jamaica Plain Family-to-Family Course

Tuesdays, Starting April, 2020 exact date to be determined
6:30 – 9:00 pm
contact Milly at millyesdale@aol.com, 617-438-3184 or Tim at tjlan53@yahoo.com, 617-536-9276 for more information and to register.

Family-to-Family Teacher Training graduates
Volunteering 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.

Contact us for more information about NAMI Family-to-Family:

Ilya Cherkasov
NAMI Mass 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.