The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress
NAMI Family to Family Program
NAMI Family & Friends is a free 90-minute online seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them. It’s also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support. The seminar is led by trained people with lived experience of supporting a family member with a mental health condition. They will walk you through the following topics.
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Understanding diagnoses, treatment and recovery
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Effective communication strategies
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The importance of self-care
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Crisis preparation strategies
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NAMI and community resources
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What People Are Saying
“Hearing personal experiences and how relatable my experiences are to them was very helpful. Hearing specific strategies to communicate and specific traits that people with mental illness have. Know that the illness is what can cause “cruelty” and poor decisions rather than the person.”
“I have a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the person affected…it was nice to hear the stories of the instructors and their paths. The handbook (eBook) given has a lot of helpful information which I did not know about.”
If you are in a crisis situation, please call 911 or the National Suicide Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
Step 1 — Register for Our Next Family & Friends Seminar
With this seminar, there is a limit of 16 participants so it’s important to register as soon as possible.You must be 18 or older to participate. Please fill out and submit the form below. Our class leader will notify you of the date and time of the next online seminar.
Step 2 - Technology You’ll Need for Our Online Class
We will be utilizing Zoom to host our online class. Zoom is an online video conferencing tool which allows individuals to meet virtually via video and/or audio from phones, computers, and tablets. Zoom works best by downloading the app, however, it is not required. If you have any questions, technical or otherwise, please checkout the Zoom help and FAQs below.
CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD
CLICK BELOW FOR LEARNING & HELP
CONTACT US
Voicemail: (540) 724-6393
Email
programs@namirapp.com
Step 3 - Review Our Privacy & Confidentiality Policy
Although this is a different platform, please remember that this is a space of confidentiality. The conversation shared within this class must remain within this group.
Zoom software is designed to be HIPAA compliant, meaning the video is encrypted to ensure confidentiality. We have disabled audio, video, and chat recording capabilities. We ask that you do not attempt to record or save any of the video of messages shared in the class. We also ask that you consider your surroundings – try to find a space with no traffic and that is not easily listened upon, and use headphones if you can. Finally, you have the ability to change your display name to ensure privacy – simply hover over your name in the participants list, click “more” and “rename” or send a message to one of the hosts and we are more than happy to do it for you.
We also want to remind everyone that this is a class only for people 18 and older who are individuals living with a mental health condition.
The same Group Guidelines and Principles of Support that apply to in-person meetings will be used to guide NAMI Online Support Groups, Classes, and each NAMI Online Support Group will be led by two NAMI-trained facilitators who are either family members or individuals in recovery themselves. These groups are offered free of charge, as are all NAMI Programs.
If you are in a crisis situation, please call 911, the National Suicide Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255).
IMPORTANT — READ THIS NAMI INFORMATION
Click to Read “Comparison of Support Groups and Therapy”
Step 4 - Please Connect 10-15 Minutes Before Start Time
After you’ve received a email confirmation you’ll get information on how to participate in our class. Especially, the first time, to make things go smoothly, we recommend connecting to the online class at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time. You will be able to address any technical difficulties and have enough time to navigate any potential technical issues, adjust your settings and display name, and ensure that you and your peers have adequate time to utilize the group productively and positively. We appreciate your patience as we grow and learn together with our ultimate goal in sight — providing you with support and resources to promote wellness and recovery!
FAQs
Below are some of the questions we have been asked by our peers and facilitators – if there is something further you’d like information or clarification on, we are happy to answer. Just contact us!
Q: Do I have to use video?
A: Nope! It is recommended, but not required – as long as you are comfortable and able to engage in the group beneficially and productively (we understand wanting to skip getting out of pajamas or brushing your hair!) However, one of the benefits of utilizing the video function – besides feeling as close to an in-person social interaction as possible – is ensured confidentiality for other group participants. In other words, we can see that there is nobody listening in or walking around the room you’re in! Topics of comfort in the digital world are, of course, some new facets that we can discuss and process as a group.
Q: I don’t want my full name displayed – can I edit this?
A: Absolutely! Depending on your connection device, you will most likely be prompted to enter your name upon entering the meeting. You can choose whatever is comfortable for you, whether it be a first name, initial, or (appropriate) nickname. If you do not have this prompt initially, you can click on your name in the Participants list, click more, and either “edit” or “rename.” We will have an additional tech-savvy peer in each meeting, so if you are having any trouble, send a message to the host and we will help out in any way possible.
Q: You said additional tech-savvy peer – who is that?
A: This individual will be sort of like a bonus but silent facilitator. In other words, this individual will be a peer that is affiliated with NAMI Coastal Virginia, has experience with mental health either personally or within their family, and knows their way around Zoom. This is to ensure that participants and facilitators can engage productively, and any technical needs can be taken care of with little to no interruption!
Q: Can anyone take this class?
A: Peer-to-Peer is a class specifically designed for individuals 18 and older who are living with a mental health condition.