Helpline: 1-800-686-2646 or text NAMI to 741741 namiohio@namiohio.org 1225 Dublin Road, Suite 210, Columbus OH 43215

Access Free Programs and Supports for Individuals and Families Affected by Mental Illness

Whether you’re in need of education, advocacy, or support, NAMI Ohio plays an active role.

Equal parts education, advocacy, and support.

Classes & Presentations

Education Classes

NAMI Basics

NAMI Basics is a class for parents and other family caregivers of children and adolescents who have either been diagnosed with a mental health condition or who are experiencing symptoms but have not yet been diagnosed. This course is also available in Spanish, Bases y Fundamentos de NAMI.

NAMI Family-To-Family

NAMI Family-to-Family is a class for families, partners and friends of individuals with mental illness. The course is designed to facilitate a better understanding of mental illness, increase coping skills and empower participants to become advocates for their family members. This program was designated as an evidence-based program by SAMHSA. The course is also available in Spanish, De Familia a Familia de NAMI.

NAMI Homefront

NAMI Homefront is a class for families, partners and friends of military service members and veterans experiencing a mental health challenge. The course is designed specifically to help these families understand those challenges and improve the ability of participants to support their service member or veteran.

NAMI Peer-To-Peer

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a recovery education course open to anyone experiencing a mental health challenge. The course is designed to encourage growth, healing and recovery among participants. This program is also available in Spanish, De Persona a Persona de NAMI.

NAMI Provider

NAMI Provider is a class for mental health professionals. NAMI Provider is designed to expand the participants’ compassion for the individuals and their families and to promote a collaborative model of care.

Presentations

NAMI Ending the Silence

NAMI Ending the Silence is a presentation designed for middle and high school students, school staff, and parents or guardians of middle or high school aged youth. Audiences learn about the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, how to recognize the early warning signs and the importance of acknowledging those warning signs.

NAMI In Our Own Voice 

NAMI In Our Own Voice is a presentation for the general public to promote awareness of mental health conditions and recovery.

NAMI Sharing Hope

NAMI Sharing Hope is a presentation for African American communities designed to promote mental health awareness, explore signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and highlight how and where to find help.

NAMI Family & Friends 

NAMI Family & Friends is a 4-hour seminar that informs and supports people who have loved ones with a mental health condition. Participants learn about diagnoses, treatment, recovery, communication strategies, crisis preparation, and NAMI resources.

Contact your local affiliate to register 

Support Programs

NAMI Connection

NAMI Connection is a weekly or monthly support group for people living with a mental health condition. This program is also available in Spanish, NAMI Conexión.

Family and Caregiver Support Groups

NAMI Family Support Group is a weekly or monthly support group for family members, partners and friends of individuals living with a mental illness.

Looking for other support groups? contact your local affiliate for details

Youth & Family Programs

Parent Advocacy Connection (PAC) is a grassroots organization of trained parent advocates who reflect the cultural and ethnic make-up of the families they serve.  When children require services from multiple sources (i.e., mental health, schools, juvenile courts, developmental disabilities, and alcohol/drug addiction services agencies), it can be difficult for parents to navigate their way through these various service systems.  Families may become overwhelmed and have difficulty expressing their concerns and the needs of their child(ren).  Ohio’s service coordination process recognizes this challenge and has made support for families available through the Parent Advocacy Connection (PAC).

For additional information about PAC, contact Tamisha McKenzie at tamisha@namiohio.org

Find more information and contact forms here 

Family Peer Supporter Training is multi-day training for individuals with lived experience as caregivers to become Certified Family Peer Supporters. The certification will allow those trained and employed as Certified Family Peer Supporter to actively engage with families involved in the System of Care to strive towards positive family management as a part of their child’s treatment process.

YouthMOVE Ohio is a youth-led organization devoted to improving services and systems to support youth inclusion, mental wellness, positive supports, and healthy transition.

Crisis Intervention Team

CIT is a police-based pre-arrest jail diversion program. The program is designed to create a seamless link between law enforcement and emergency mental health services. CIT officers receive approximately 40 hours of training in areas including psychiatric disorders, substance abuse issues, de-escalation techniques, and in legal issues related to mental health and substance abuse.  In addition, they receive empathy training from individuals with mental illness and gain exposure to the views of family members of those suffering from a mental illness.

NAMI Ohio’s role is critical in the establishment of CIT training programs around the state.  Through grants from the Office of Criminal Justice Services and the CIT Coordinating Center of Excellence, NAMI works with communities in every phase of planning, implementing, and expanding CIT programs. NAMI works with its network of NAMI affiliates, local mental health boards and providers, and local law enforcement agencies to encourage the establishment of CIT training programs around the state.  NAMI offers technical assistance that begins with the planning process and then maintains close and regular contact with the key stakeholders in each community to ensure that the program comes to fruition.

For more information visit https://namiohio.org/crisis-intervention-team/