About NAMI Family-to-Family Class: Empowering Families with Knowledge and Compassion

Supporting a loved one with a mental health condition can be confusing, isolating, and, difficult. You aren't alone in this journey, though. NAMI Family-to-Family is an educational course for people who have a loved one with a mental illness. If you're interested in learning more about how to help your loved one while also taking care of your own wellbeing, our course may be exactly what you need.

Our next Family-to-Family class is starting on Tuesday, April 1, at 5:30 pm. The class is hybrid - meaning that you can attend in-person at the NECIC building in Mansfield or online. We will meet on Tuesdays from April 1 to May 20.

Ready to get started? Click the button below to register now, or keep reading to learn more about how the program can make a difference in both your life and the life of your loved one.

What is NAMI Family-to-Family?

Family-to-Family is a free, eight-session educational program designed for family members, significant others, and friends of people living with mental health conditions. The program provides valuable information and strategies to help you better understand your loved one’s mental health challenges, how to support them with compassion, and how to improve your own coping skills along the way.

Family-to-Family 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. Participants leave with a stronger sense of hope, better communication strategies, and an understanding that they are not alone in their experience.

It’s more than just information, though. In our class, participants gain peer support they may have never had before. Our safe, confidential space is invaluable to many who are navigating their loved one's mental health conditions and are looking to connect with others who truly understand.

Why Take Family-to-Family?

Supporting a loved one who has a mental health condition can be difficult. You may struggle to find the right way to communicate, or feel uncertain about how to support them in a meaningful way. That’s where Family-to-Family can make all the difference.

In the program, you’ll gain tools to help you:

Solve problems and communicate effectively – Learn techniques for connecting with your loved one in a way that fosters mutual understanding.
Take care of yourself – Develop skills to manage your stress and avoid burnout.
Support with compassion – Understand your loved one’s condition and respond with empathy.
Navigate local resources and services – Discover support systems that can make a big impact in your journey.
Manage crises – Learn strategies for handling stressful situations and preventing them from escalating.
Understand treatment options – Get up-to-date information on therapies and treatments for mental health conditions.

Through interactive exercises and discussions, you'll not only learn valuable tools, but also experience the support and connection of others who truly understand what you're going through.

The Power of Shared Experiences

One of the most powerful aspects of NAMI Family-to-Family is the community it creates. You’ll be surrounded by people who get it—who understand your pain, your frustrations, and your hopes. The shared experience of the class often leads to deep, meaningful connections that can last far beyond the sessions themselves.

As one participant shared:

“Before I took the course, I felt alone and overwhelmed dealing with my daughter’s mental illness. By taking this course, I have met others who are going through the same things I am and have learned about many resources that I never knew existed.”

Another said:

“The course gave me hope that it will be okay, that I am not alone and reduced a lot of shame, guilt and hopelessness.”

Is NAMI Family-to-Family Right for You?

If you have a loved one living with a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, NAMI Family-to-Family could be the support you’ve been looking for. Whether you’re new to the mental health journey or have been navigating it for years, this program can offer practical insights and emotional relief.

Recovery is a journey, and NAMI Family-to-Family is here to walk alongside you every step of the way. The program is offered free of charge, and people often leave the course feeling more empowered and hopeful. As one participant put it:

“I thought my wife and I knew just about everything there is to know about the system and the illness. Boy, were we wrong. Without a doubt, this is the best support course I have had the privilege of taking part in, bar none.”

Don’t wait to take the first step toward better understanding, improved coping, and a greater sense of connection. Register for our April class below!