education programs
NAMI NH offers educational programs specifically designed for, parents and primary caregivers, family members with an adult loved one, individuals with a mental health condition and older adults. Learn more about these programs below.
NAMI Basics
- An interactive six-session course designed for any parent or primary caregiver of a youth (age 21 and younger) with a mental health condition. The child doesn’t need to have an official diagnosis.
- Taught by trained teachers who are also parents or other family caregivers to a person who experienced symptoms of a mental health condition before the age of 13
- NAMI Basics does not recommend or endorse any medications or other medical therapies
- NAMI Basics is copyrighted
- Develop a community of support
- Provide practical, current information about mental health conditions
- Provide tools to effectively advocate for the child within school and mental health systems
- Develop problem-solving and communication skills
- Give participants the information they need to be more effective caregivers
- Help participants take care of their entire family — especially themselves
NAMI Basics trainings are typically held in the fall, winter, and spring. Want to be notified of future trainings? Sign up here. Do you have a question that is not answered here? Contact Deb Jurkoic to learn more.
NAMI Family-to-Family is an evidence-based program that provides participants with a relaxed, trusting and safe environment where they can develop the insight, skills and emotional understanding they need to support the recovery of their loved one. This course is free and is open to family members and friends of adults with mental illness.
Family-to-Family teachers are volunteer, illness-experienced family members who have been trained and certified by NAMI NH to teach the course. The 8-session course is offered in the spring and fall in communities around the state. Materials are provided free to participants.
- What you will gain: mental health diagnoses
- medications
- treatment options
- how to access and advocate for mental health services
- how to cope with symptoms, support their loved one in a crisis, promote recovery and manage the stressors that come with the caregiver role
Classes are held based on demand in a particular area. To indicate your interest in attending one of the classes listed above or if you don’t see a location close to you, please provide your contact information here. We will share your information with the teacher of the class nearest you and contact you to discuss the course – or put your name on our waiting list and notify you of upcoming Family-to-Family classes in your area.
For questions, please contact Michele Watson.
NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery.
Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, this program includes activities, discussions and informative videos. However, as with all NAMI programs, it does not include recommendations for treatment approaches.
NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a safe, confidential space. The course provides an opportunity for mutual support and growth. Experience compassion and understanding from people who relate to your experiences. This is a place to learn more about recovery in an accepting environment.
NAMI Peer-to-Peer helps you:
- Set a vision and goals for the future
- Partner with health care providers
- Develop confidence for making decisions
- Practice relaxation and stress reduction tools
- Share your story
- Strengthen relationships
- Enhance communication skills
- Learn about mental health treatment options
Want to be notified of future trainings? Sign up here. For more information email kprive@naminh.org
Side by Side is a program promoting mental health for older adults, their families, and caregivers.
Providing care for an older adult can present many challenges. Caregivers – be they family, friends, or paid staff – face many complexities regarding physical and mental health. Caregivers can become more successful if they understand these issues and know what to do.
The relationship between physical and mental health impacts medical conditions and vice-versa. Side-by-Side addresses the variety of issues that can be challenging to older adults and their caregivers.
Side by Side for Independent Living provides practical and vital information for caregivers in a series of six two-hour workshops that are free to participants and offered in different communities throughout New Hampshire.
- Meeting Caregiver Needs: Supports for the Support Person
- Managing Medical Care
- Understanding Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults
- Where Did I Put My Keys?
- Understanding Dementia
- Coping with Changing and Challenging Behaviors
- Legal Issues: Who Makes the Decisions and When?
To schedule or attend a workshop, email Bernie Seifert or call 603-225-5359.
Upcoming Classes
Registration for this class is now full. We expect to offer a virtual class starting in January. Those that are interested should fill out the interest form which can be found here.
NAMI NH offers the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program free of charge to participants. Thursday evening classes start September 14th from 6:00-8:30pm. Class 1 (Sept. 14) and class 9 (Nov. 9) will be held in-person in Concord, NH. Classes 2-8 will be held virtually via Zoom. Registration is required, please contact Nancy Hollinshead at (631) 987-3063.
Registration for this class is now full. We expect to offer a virtual class starting in January. Those that are interested should fill out the interest form which can be found here.
NAMI NH offers the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program free of charge to participants. Monday evening classes start September 25th from 6:00-8:30pm. All classes will be held virtually via Zoom. Click here to view the flyer.
Registration is required, please contact:
Norma at 603-882-6771 or nashuanaminh@gmail.com
Kathie at 603-661-6559 roy.kathie@comcast.net
NAMI Basics is a free, six-session 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 trained teachers who are also the parents or family caregivers of individuals who experienced emotional or behavioral difficulties prior to age 13.
To register, please fill out the NAMI Basics Education Class Interest Form.
For more information, contact Deb Jurkoic at djurkoic@NAMINH.org or 603-568-3583
