Family-to-Family Educational Course

Family-to-Family is a free 8-week educational course designed specifically for adult family members (18+) and others who have adult loved ones living with a mental illness. The course is taught by other family members who have received intensive training for these presentations. The 2.5 hour class meets for 8 consecutive weeks, and each session builds upon the previous topics covered. Over 300,000 family members have graduated from this evidence based national program.

Visit the Family-to-Family Class series page for more information on upcoming classes and how to register!

NAMI Ending the Silence – Families

Our Ending the Silence education programs were created here at the DuPage County, Illinois affiliate to provide mental health educational presentations to students, parents and school staff. Since its inception in 2007, it has since been recognized and adopted by NAMI National, and is now presented by NAMI affiliates across the country. Our family version of this program includes a 1-hour presentation for adults with middle or high school aged youth that includes warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child, and how to work with school staff.

For more information about our Ending the Silence programs, or to schedule a presentation, visit our Youth Services page.

NAMI Family & Friends Seminar

NAMI Family & Friends is a FREE seminar that informs people who have loved ones living with a mental health condition on how to best support them. Whether you choose the 90 minute, 2 hour or 4 hour version, you will benefit from the opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support.

The seminar is led by those with lived experience of supporting a family member living with a mental health condition, and will guide you through the following topics:

For questions about this seminar, please contact Jessica Schneider at [email protected], or by phone at 630-752-0066.

NAMI Homefront Educational Program

NAMI and the Department of Veterans Affairs have joined together to offer NAMI Homefront Classes virtually.

NAMI Homefront is a free, six-session class for family, caregivers, close friends and significant others of Military Service Members or Veterans who live with mental health challenges. The course empowers participants to understand their loved one’s behaviors as they relate to trauma, combat stress, PTSD, reintegration into civilian life and other challenges. Topics covered include mental health, communication, handling crises, treatment and recovery.

The program is designed to help family members understand and support their Service Member or Veteran while maintaining their own well-being. NAMI Homefront leaders have personal experience with mental health conditions impacting their Service Member or Veteran.

Registration is required. For more information and to register, please click here.

NAMI Basics OnDemand

NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other families who provide care for youths (aged 22 and under) who are living with mental health symptoms. Diagnoses discussed in the class include: childhood onset of bipolar disorder, childhood onset of schizophrenia, depression, ADD, ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD and eating disorders. Trained family members, who have firsthand experience with the rewards and challenges of raising children with mental illnesses, volunteer to teach Basics.