NAMI Basics is a free 6-session educational program designed for parents and other family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties. NAMI Basics helps parents and other family caregivers of children to understand the illnesses that are causing those behavioral difficulties, and the critical role families play in the treatment of those illnesses.
The program is taught by NAMI-trained teachers who are also the parents or family caregivers of individuals who experienced emotional or behavioral difficulties prior to age 13.
What You’ll Gain
NAMI Basics class provides information and strategies for taking care of the child you love, and you will discover you are not alone in your struggles. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope.
The group setting of NAMI Basics class 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 empathy
- 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
- How to be an advocate for your child in the school system