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The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with
severe mental illnesses.
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program consists of a series of twelve classes for the families of persons with
mental illnesses. These classes represent a new concept and curriculum. In this model, the course co-teachers are
family members themselves, and the course has been designed and written by an experienced family-member mental
health professional. The course balances education and skill-training with self-care, emotional support and
empowerment.
severe mental illnesses.
- The course is taught by trained family members
- All instruction and course materials are free to class participants
- Over 115,000 family members have graduated from this national program
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program consists of a series of twelve classes for the families of persons with
mental illnesses. These classes represent a new concept and curriculum. In this model, the course co-teachers are
family members themselves, and the course has been designed and written by an experienced family-member mental
health professional. The course balances education and skill-training with self-care, emotional support and
empowerment.
More information regarding the NAMI Family-to-Family education program, including personal stories and news
from the field, is available at NAMI national's (our national affiliate) website:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Family-to-Family&lstid=605
You can also contact your local affiliate, or contact NAMI Arizona and ask to speak with the Program Director
about NAMI Family-to-Family.
from the field, is available at NAMI national's (our national affiliate) website:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Family-to-Family&lstid=605
You can also contact your local affiliate, or contact NAMI Arizona and ask to speak with the Program Director
about NAMI Family-to-Family.
What is NAMI’s Family-to-Family Program?
For more information...
You can (like with all other NAMI Arizona programs) contact your local affiliate to register for a class and/or sign-up to be
on a waiting list for upcoming classes.
on a waiting list for upcoming classes.
How can I attend a class?
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Yes. If you are interested in teaching NAMI Family-to-Family, please (like with all other NAMI Arizona programs)
contact your local affiliate to indicate your interest in being trained as a NAMI Family-to-Family teacher. If your
local affiliates is involved in this program (not all affiliates are currently hosting this program), they will record your
interest and contact you when the next training is being scheduled. It is required that you have taken the
Family-to-Family class before you can be trained to teach a Family-to-Family class.
contact your local affiliate to indicate your interest in being trained as a NAMI Family-to-Family teacher. If your
local affiliates is involved in this program (not all affiliates are currently hosting this program), they will record your
interest and contact you when the next training is being scheduled. It is required that you have taken the
Family-to-Family class before you can be trained to teach a Family-to-Family class.
- Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-
compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders - Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence
- Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote
recovery - Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness
- Learning in special workshops for problem solving, listening, and communication techniques
- Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse
- Focusing on care for the caregiver: coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload
- Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community
- Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services
Can I be involved in teaching this class?
What does the course include?
What people are saying about the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Course: “Family members who take the NAMI Family-to-Family course are better equipped to work with mental health clinicians in a collaborative manner. My bottom-line recommendation? Take this course. It will help you learn to cope successfully with a major challenge in your life, and that, in turn, will help your loved one as he or she works toward recovery.” - Peter Weiden, M.D., author of Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications “It was a stroke of genus to train people as teachers who have a family member with a serious mental illness. Not only could they contribute ideas and knowledge from their own experience, but they also really understood what the class members are going through.” – Class participant “This course has helped so very much. I would recommend it to everyone. I think it is crucial to anyone who has a SMI family member” - Class participant, AZ “It gave me the opportunity to meet other parents – something I hadn’t done before. The range of stories was fascinating but the basic feelings were the same. I no longer feel so alone.” - Class participant, AZ “This course was so beneficial. I learned so much from the materials, the lessons, and the other class members. The role playing and problem-solving activities were also great. I learned about the illnesses and also received a lot of understanding and support. Everyone should take this course” - Class participant, AZ |
Pilot Study of the Effectiveness of the Family-to-Family Education Program
People with serious mental illness and their families deserve interventions and treatments that are known to be
effective. One of these is the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program now taught in 46 states, Canada, Mexico and
Puerto Rico.
Find out about a recent study of the evidence for the beneficial impact of this outstanding program here
http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/7/965
People with serious mental illness and their families deserve interventions and treatments that are known to be
effective. One of these is the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program now taught in 46 states, Canada, Mexico and
Puerto Rico.
Find out about a recent study of the evidence for the beneficial impact of this outstanding program here
http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/7/965
Recent Studies of Family-to-Family Education Program
Recently, there have been two studies of the effectiveness of NAMI Family-to-Family conducted through the University
of Maryland and NAMI. The results, presented by Alicia Lucksted, PhD, can be read at:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Family-to-Family&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&Cont
entID=58090
Recently, there have been two studies of the effectiveness of NAMI Family-to-Family conducted through the University
of Maryland and NAMI. The results, presented by Alicia Lucksted, PhD, can be read at:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Family-to-Family&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&Cont
entID=58090
Some local affiliates in Arizona host the NAMI Family-to-Family
course not just in English, but Spanish as well. Please contact
your local affiliates to inquire if they offer NAMI Family-to-Family in
Spanish.
course not just in English, but Spanish as well. Please contact
your local affiliates to inquire if they offer NAMI Family-to-Family in
Spanish.
de Familia a Familia
Studies of Family-to-Family
A free 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses that discusses the clinical
treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.
treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.
