NAMI Family-To-Family

Family-to-Family is the free 12-week family education program for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illness.

• The course is taught by trained family members.
• All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.
• Over 300,000 family members have graduated from this national program.

A tribute video containing moving testimonials about the NAMI Family-to-Family program from family members and course instructors.

What does the course include?

• Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders.
• Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence.
• Current research related to the biology of the brain disorders and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery.
• Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness.
• Learning in special workshops for problem solving, listening, and communication techniques.
• Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse.
• Focusing on care for the caregiver: coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload.
• Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community.
• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services.

Courses in New York State are listed below by county. Please note that most courses run the approximate length of a school semester and therefore start in September/October or in January/February. If you do not find a course in your area listed here please contact Stephen Oby at 800-950-3228 or by e-mail at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Albany

Course at the VA

• Every Thursday starting April 4, 2013,5:45-8:15 p.m.
• Albany Stratton VA Medical Center at 113 Holland Ave., Albany
• Contact: Mary Beth Honsinger This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bronx

Course at the VA

• Every Thursday starting January 10, 2013, 6-8:30 p.m.
• James J. Peters VA Medical Center at 130 W. Kingsbridge Rd., Bronx
• Contact: Geraldine "Jerry" Burton 646-754-5128 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Columbia

Spring Class 2013

• Every Wednesday starting March 13, 2013, 6:30 p.m.
• Hudson
• Contact: Pat 518-336-0246

Delaware

Spring Class 2013

• Every Thursday starting January 24, 2013, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Civic Center at 21 Liberty St., Sidney
• Contact: Sandy DuMond This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dutchess

Spring Class (St. Francis Location)

• Every Tuesday starting January 8, 2013, 7-9:30 p.m.
• Atrium Conference Room, St. Francis Hospital at 241 North Rd., Poughkeepsie
• Contact: Barrie Campbell 845-473-6736 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Spring Class (Dover High Location)

• Every Thursday starting January 10, 2013, 7-9:30 p.m.
• Library Conference Room, Dover High School at 2368 Rt. 22, Dover Plains
• Contact: Jo Ann Brown 845-832-6368 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Monroe

Fall Class 2013

• Every Wednesday starting March 6, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m. (No class on 4/3)
• RPC Rehab. Bldg.,  1111 Elmwood Ave, Rochester
• Contact: Sherlaine Shelley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Course at the Rochester VA

• Every Thursday starting March 7, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• VA Veterans Administration Bldg., 465 Westfall Road, Rochester
• Contact: Sherlaine Shelley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

New York

Harlem Class 2013

• Every Saturday starting September 28, 2013, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Location TBD
• Contact: Claudia Powell 917 548-2515 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manhattan on Tuesday evenings 2013

• Every Tuesday starting February 5, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• NAMI NYC Metro, 505 8th Avenue, Manhattan
• Contact: Patti Sacher This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manhattan on Wednesday evenings 2013

• Every Wednesday starting February 20, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• NAMI NYC Metro, 505 8th Avenue, Manhattan
• Contact: Leslie Najarian This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manhattan on Saturday mornings 2013

• Every Saturday starting March 2, 2013, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• NAMI NYC Metro, 505 8th Avenue, Manhattan
• Contact: Nancy Parker This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 917-715-1147

Manhattan on Wednesday mornings 2013

• Every Wednesday starting March 13, 2013, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• NAMI NYC Metro, 505 8th Avenue, Manhattan
• Contact: Mary Ann Ceron This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 646-660-1427

De Familia a Familia

• Every Wednesday starting March 6, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• New York State Psychiatric Institute, 40 Haven Ave. @ 168th St., Room 4002
• Contact: Natalie Diaz 347-572-5820 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Niagara

Inaugural Course sponsored by Josh's Journey

• Every Monday starting April 8, 2013
• Generation Church, 1001 Robinson St., North Tonawanda
• Contact: Denise Skrzypek This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Onondaga

Course at the Syracuse VA

• Every Thursday starting April 4, 2013
• Behavioral Health Clinic, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse
• Contact: Ann Canastra This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Orange

Spring Class 2013

• Every Wednesday starting March 20, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Mental Health Association in Orange County, Middletown
• Contact: 845-342-2400x238 or 845-956-6264 or 866-906-6264

Queens

Spring Class 2013

• Every Saturday starting March 9, 2013, 12-3 p.m.
• The Greater Allen Cathedral of New York, 11031 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica
• Contact: Jeannette Wells This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Richmond

Spring Class 2013

• Every Monday starting April 8, 2013, 7-9:30 p.m.
• Fr. Epifanio Parish Center at Holy Rosary Parish, 85 Jerome Ave., Staten Island
• Contact: Linda Wilson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rockland

Spring Class 2013

• Every Thursday starting January 10, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Rockland Psychiatric Center, Building 57, First Floor Classroom, Orangeburg
• Contact: NAMI FAMILYA 845-359-8787 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

De Familia a Familia

• Every Saturday starting April 6, 2013
• Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut Street, Spring Valley
• Contact: Anne Arias This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Suffolk

Northport VA Medical Center

• Every Thursday starting March 7, 2013, 7-9 p.m.
• Northport VA Medical Center, Middleville Rd., Northport
• Contact: Nancy 631-987-3063

Bridgehampton Location

• Every Thursday starting February 28, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Bridgehampton National Bank, Montauk
• Contact: Ellen 631-728-3082 or Gail 631-283-2380

Ulster

Mental Health Association

• Every Thursday starting April 18th, 2013.
• Mental Health Association, 300 Aaron Court, Kingston
• Contact: Chris or Mark Durand 845-757-5757 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wayne

Spring Class 2013

• Every Wednesday starting March 6, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Cross Creek Campus, 3527 Vienna St., Palmyra
• Contact: Sherlaine Shelley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Westchester

Monday Session

• Every Monday starting February 25, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• White Plains
• Contact: Sharon 914-592-5458

Tuesday Session

• Every Tuesday starting March 11, 2013, 6:30-9 p.m.
• White Plains
• Contact: Sharon 914-592-5458