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NAMI Basics Education Program
The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness

NAMI Basics Outreach and Promotional DVD 2010 - More Videos -

What is NAMI Basics?

NAMI Basics is the new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses.  The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years.

The course consists of six classes, each lasting for 2 ½ hours.   Classes may be offered weekly for six consecutive weeks, or may be offered twice per week for three weeks to accommodate the hectic schedules of parents. 

All instruction materials are FREE to participants.

 

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Ask the Doctor

As part of the NAMI Basics Education Program curriculum development, NAMI’s Medical Director, Dr. Ken Duckworth, answers a few of the most commonly asked questions by parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness. View the video's!

Transition-age Youth Webinar

Explore the multiple issues and challenges for transition age youth and their families. See "'Webinar" box below and download the documents below the box.

Kids in the House: the Ultimate Parenting Resource 

Search and learn from over 8,000 videos from top experts and parents, include NAMI's Medical Direction, Dr. Ken Duckworth.

 

RESEARCH ON NAMI BASICS

An Evaluation of the NAMI Basics Program

This study is based on "before" and "after" questionnaires completed by 36 caregivers in Mississippi and Tennessee in 2008-2009. The small sample and geographic scope should cause the study to be interpreted cautiously, while suggesting directions for broader research.

• Read Study

Pilot Study of the Effectiveness of NAMI Basics

Missouri State University conducted an evaluation of the NAMI Basics program pilot phase.  Dr. Paul Deal, psychologist, was the lead investigator for the project. 

The evaluation consists of a pre-post assessment of participants attending classes in Illinois, South Carolina and Utah between January and May 2008.

• NAMI Basics Pilot Study Description

  Download Handouts

• Pilot Study Research Summary
• Pilot Study Press Release

 

MORE ABOUT NAMI BASICS

What are the goals of the NAMI Basics program?

1. To give the parent/caregiver the basic information necessary to take the best care possible of their child, their family, and themself.
   
2. To help the parent/caregiver cope with the impact that mental illness has on the child living with the illness and the entire family. 
   
3. To provide tools for the parent/caregiver to use even after completing the program that will assist in making the best decisions possible for the care of the child.
   

What does the course include?

• Introduction to the stages of emotional reactions of the family to the mental illness; including crisis, shock, denial, grief and acceptance.
• Insights into understanding of the lived experience of the child living with the mental illness, including learning to separate the child you love from the illness that alters their behavior and abilities
• Current information about Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Childhood Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse Disorders
• Current research related to the biology of mental illness and the evidence-based, most effective treatment strategies available, including medications used to treat mental illness in children and adolescents
• Specific workshops to learn problem solving, listening and communication skills
• Examples of strategies that have been found helpful in handling challenging behaviors in children and adolescents
• Information about the systems that are major players in the lives of children and adolescents with mental illness – the school system and the mental health system
• Exposure to personal record keeping systems that have proven to be effective for parents/caregivers in their interactions with the school and healthcare systems
• Information on planning for crisis management and relapse
• Information on locating appropriate supports and services within the community to build a community of support for the parent/caregiver
• Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services, with an emphasis on personal advocates for the parent/caregiver and child on an individual level

 

Basics Contact Information (National office):

For general inquiries, please contact: namieducation@nami.org  

NAMI Office: 800-950-6264 or 703-524-7600

 

How can I find a class in my area?

For specific class information, please contact the appropriate state NAMI office.

 

Helpful information until you can join a class in your area

• Sample Record Keeping System
• NAMI Child and Adolescent Center (CAAC): Information for Parents and Other Caregivers 

 

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Join NAMI today!

When you become a member of NAMI, you become part of America's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness. And now you can join online.