Marilyn's NAMI Family to Family Team

I remember from a very young age that taking care of people was really important. Growing up in a small town helped me to learn the importance of family and close relationships. My dad struggled with alcohol abuse, and what I learned much later in life was that he was "treating the symptoms" of his depression and anxiety.  But what I saw was MY dad struggling; which made it personal and painful.   I worked for 30 years in acute care hospitals and clinics which furthered my understand of mental illness and substance use in a very profound way.  

But what became very clear to me through the years was there is an additional price tag with mental illness and substance use, it was "stigma"!   Stigma stops people from reaching out to get help, which in turn lead to isolation, shame and self loathing.   They are the health conditions that are most feared in our world and the most misunderstood. When I took my first NAMI Family to Family class in 2004 it changed my way of thinking.  That sounds kind of like a commercial, but it was the truth.   I needed to change myself first, then help others to see where that change could happen in them.   

I wanted to help "unwind" that thought process for others as NAMI did for me!   As of today, I have taught NAMI Family to Family for 20 years to over 800 people.  Please help support this amazing education course through your donations.

What to Expect?

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It 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.

• Meets for 8 session, one session per week (2.5 hrs per session).  Is provided at no cost to participants.
• Designed for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions.
• Taught by trained family members of individuals living with mental illness.
• Provides critical information and strategies related to caregiving.
• Incorporates presentations, discussion and exercises.
• Designated an Evidence Based Practice in 2013 by SAMHSA.

What you 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

Help us to keep this amazing educational course going in our local community!  NAMI brings hope, understanding and creates a village of caring people.  Learn more at https://namitm.org/support-and-education/mental-health-education/f2f/