Due to coronavirus risk, most NAMI in-person groups and classes will be canceled. Please call the contact number for your affiliate to determine what alternatives may be offered in your area.
Family to Family Class Schedule and Locations please scroll down this page to view:
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.
NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises.
In the program, you’ll learn about:
- How to solve problems and communicate effectively
- Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
- Supporting your loved one with compassion
- Finding and using local supports and services
- Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
- How to handle a crisis
- Current treatments and therapies
- The impact of mental health conditions on the entire family
The Family-to-Family course balances education and skill training with self-care, emotional support, and empowerment.
Important components of this course are:
- Information on mental disorders including: Schizophrenia, Schizo-affective Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder (Manic-depressive Disorder), Borderline Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Co-Occurring Brain Disorders (mental illness and combined substance abuse)
- Biology of the brain, including new research findings
- Coping skills; handling crisis and relapse
- Listening and communication techniques
- Problem-solving and limit setting; rehabilitation
- Empathy: understanding the actual experience of people suffering from mental illness
- Self-care; learning how to recognize normal emotional reactions among families; how to deal with chronic worry and stress
- Basic information about medications and their side effects
- Information about connecting with appropriate community services and community supports
- Advocacy: Getting better services, fighting discrimination
2021 Family to Family Class Schedule
To REGISTER: Email us at namiwsprogramdirector@gmail.com or call the office at 970-462-3989
Class #1 (In-Person) Starting Monday, February 15th.- April 5th. 6:00pm-8:30pm
Class #2 ZOOM Starting March 18th.- May 6th. 6:00pm-8:30pm
Class #3 (In-Person) Starting July 8th. – August 26th. 6:00pm-8:30pm
Class #4 (In-Person) September 13th. – November 1st. 6:00pm-8:30pm
Graduates Share:
• “It was comforting to share with other families and individuals regarding their experiences with mental illness. I would highly recommend it to anyone dealing with mental illness.”
• “How did I not know about this course before? Would that all people could take it! I think I have come a long way toward acceptance of my daughter’s illness, realizing there’s no “one answer” to the problems she presents and feeling generally more comfortable compassionate and confident in dealing with her. I “beat up” on myself much less when I find myself ineffective.”
• “I have benefited greatly from this class. I am now able to be with my son and not be angry! I now look beyond his illness to the person beneath. I am also learning to let go.”
• “Knowledge is power. This class has given me the ability to be a part of my daughter’s treatment, and not part of her problem. I no longer have the fear that I carried before taking this class.”
• “This course has been the best thing to happen in years. It gave me an insight into my son’s illness, an understanding of his behavior, and a support group for me to turn to in time of need. I don’t feel so isolated…”
• “This course had given me a wealth of information on mental illness. It has helped me to understand my son’s illness – what I can expect from him and what I can expect to do effectively for him.”