NAMI’s: Family-to-Family
Education Program

NAMI’s Family-to-Family Education Program is a 12 week, 2.5 hour per week, course for families of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illness).  The course is taught by trained family members. 

The NAMI Family-to-Family Course Topics Include: 

1. Learning about feelings, learning facts about mental illness

2. Schizophrenia, major depression, and mania-diagnosis; and dealing with critical periods

3. Subtypes of depression and bipolar disorder, panic disorder and OCD; diagnosis and causes; sharing our stories

4. The biology of the brain/new research

5. Problem-solving workshop

6. Medication review

7. Empathy workshop-what it’s like to have a brain disorder

8. Communication skills workshop

9. Self-care and relative groups

10. Rehabilitation services available

11. Advocacy, fighting stigma

12. Review and certification ceremony

NAMI’s: Peer-To-Peer
 Education Course

Learning to live well with what we’ve got 

NAMI’s Peer-to-Peer Education Course is a nine week, two hours per week, experiential education course on the topic of recovery for any person with serious mental illness who is interested in establishing and maintaining wellness. The course taught by trained consumers and uses a combination of lecture, interactive exercises and structured group processes.  The diversity of experience among course participants affords for a lively dynamic that moves the course along. 

1. Introductions, stigma, discrimination.  Begin relapse prevention plan

2. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, thoughts, feelings, sleep.  Continue relapse prevention plan

3. Panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), senses, behavior.  Continue relapse prevention plan

4. Story telling

5. Language, emotions.  Continue relapse plan

6. Additions, spirituality, medication.  Complete relapse prevention plan

7. Coping strategies, decision making

8. Relationships, begin advance directive

9. Empowerment, advocacy, “complete” advance directive, evaluation

NAMI’s: In Our Own Voice
Living with Mental Illness

In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness is a 60-90 minutes recovery education presentation given by trained consumer presenters for other consumers, family members, friends, professionals, and lay audiences.

 The presentation covers issues frequently faced by those dealing with severe mental illnesses:

• Dark Days 

• Acceptance

• Treatment

• Coping Strategies

• Successes, Hopes, and Dreams

 This Program is Ideal for:

• Consumers—share, learn and find hope for living successfully with your illness

• Family members-discover the possibility of recovery for your loved one

• Health providers—strengthen communication with your clients and improve outcomes

• Law enforcement officials—increase awareness of and sensitivity to behaviors triggered by mental illness

• Faith communities—increase responsiveness to people with mental illness who may first turn to their spiritual community for guidance