We offer Family-to-Family and NAMI Basics programs throughout the year for family members of those diagnosed with a mental illness.
All programs and classes are offered free of charge.
Please Note: Observers (e.g. media, researchers, students) are NOT PERMITTED to attend or audit any NAMI San Mateo class or support group as the information shared in the group is confidential.
Other Support Groups
Chinese Language Family Support Group English/Cantonese/Mandarin: Meets 2nd Friday, 6:30-8p. For more information & registration. Contact Tammy Vuong. ASW (650) 454-4711 or. QVuong@smcgov.org.
Asian-Language Family Support Groups: Last THURSDAYS, 6-7:30 pm, Cantonese/Mandarin. 1950 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. BHRS Main Entrance. (650) 261-3704 (Maureen) or (650) 573-3571 (Alice).
H.E.L.P. for those coping with a mental illness and/or those in a supporting role, Menlo Park Pres., 950 Santa Cruz Ave. THURSDAYS, 6:00pm optional dinner; 6:30-7:30 program, 7:30-8:30 prayer. Garden Court. Contact Jane at 650-464-9033.
Jewish Support Group, for those with mental illness and families and friends, Beit Kehillah, 26790 Arastradero Rd., Los Altos 2ND WEDNESDAYS, 6:15-8:30pm. For info, contact Carol Irwin (408)858-1372. People of all faiths are welcome.
Korean Support Group for Family Members: Cupertino, 4th Friday; 12:30 – 2:30 pm. Call for location: Kyo, 408-712-1149
Telecare, for family and friends of residents. 855 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, 817-9070. 2ND WEDNESDAYS, 5:30-7pm.
Pacer (Post Adoption Center for Education & Research); Email sanmateotriad@pacer-adoption.org, or contact Dorothea for more information at 650-867-7257. 3rd THURSDAYS, 7:00 – 9:00PM
Parent Chat. For parent/caregivers of kids aged 14-24 with mental health challenges. 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm. Orchard Room, Los Altos Library, 13 San Antonio Road. Info: Trudy Palmer 650 208 9116 or Donna Soo 650 823 0997.
What is the NAMI Family-to-Family Program?
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 9-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses.
- The course is taught by trained family members in English and Spanish.
- 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.
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What does the course include?
- Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), 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 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. NAMI Family to Family is now available online through NAMI Family and Friends, a four hour seminar for family members, who may not want to take our 9 week Family to Family program or who may at least want to start with this while waiting for a family to family class to begin.
Anybody can attend from anywhere. Sign up on the national site for whatever fits into your schedule. Please find the link to Register: https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/NAMI-Programs/NAMI-Family-Friends
What is the NAMI Basics Program?
The NAMI Basics Program is a free, 6-week course designed for parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties. It is not necessary that the child has received a specific diagnosis. Caregivers who suspect their child is experiencing symptoms of mental illness can benefit greatly from the course as they begin to navigate the evaluation and treatment process.
- The course is taught by trained family members.
- All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.
What does the course include?
- Learning about the normative stages of our emotional reaction to the trauma of mental illness.
- Recognizing that mental illnesses are biological brain disorders.
- The biology of mental illness: getting an accurate diagnosis.
- Treatment that works.
- Objective and subjective family burden – learning every-days skills to improve communication.
- The systems involved with your child and the importance of record keeping.
- Advocacy, review and sharing.
NAMI Basics is now available online through NAMI Basics OnDemand.