Registration for NAMI’s FREE Family to Family Education Course is now open.    Slots are filled on a first-come first-served basis.

Family-to-Family is a free 8-week class for families, partners and friends of individuals with mental illness. The course is designed to facilitate a better understanding of mental illness, increase coping skills and empower participants to become advocates for their family members. 

NAMI Family-to-Family is a designated evidenced-based program by SAMHSA. 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.  

Start Date:  Summer 2020, exact dates TBD, but taking registrations now.

We cannot accept walk-ins.  Registration is required.  Please call Cy Stanton 505-321-4522 for details and to register

This class is made possible through the Training & Education grant, funded by the Bernallilo County Behavioral Health Initiative. Through this grant, NAMI New Mexico, in conjunction with NAMI Albuquerque, aims to increase behavioral health education and support programs to individuals living with a  mental health condition and their families within Bernallilo County.

What You’ll Gain

NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you’ll also find out that you’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope.

The group setting of NAMI Family-to-Family provides mutual support and shared positive impact—experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Sharing your own experience may help others in your class. 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

What People Are Saying

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

“I wish I’d known about this seven years ago when the problem began. I felt safe in this class. I was able to talk about things I haven’t been comfortable expressing elsewhere.”

“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.”

“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.”