Fueled by the power of families helping one another, NAMI-NYC Metro has developed programs designed to specifically address the concerns of parents and caregivers of children under 18 affected by mental illness.

The NAMI-NYC Metro Helpline
The NAMI-NYC Metro Helpline provides support, information, and referral to community resources and to NAMI-NYC Metro's own services for children with mental health issues and their families. The Helpline is staffed by trained volunteers who have personal experience with the mental health system. Information about NAMI-NYC Metro's supports and services, mental illnesses, medication, treatment, and community resources is mailed to individuals and family members upon request.

The Parent Matching Program
The Parent Matching Program connects, by telephone, experienced parents of children with mental health issues with parents of children who have been recently diagnosed or who are facing new challenges. Parent Matching offers parents the opportunity to talk to a parent who has "been there" and who can offer emotional support, coping strategies, the benefit of experience in negotiating the mental health and special education systems, and connection to community resources.

To request a Parent Match call the Helpline at 212-684-3264 or via email at helpline@naminyc.org.

To learn more about becoming a Support Parent, click here.

Family-to-Family Course
The Family-to-Family course is a twelve-week NAMI National program developed by a psychologist who is also the parent of an adult child with mental illness. The weekly classes are taught by a trained family member and provide information and practical skills in a supportive environment. Course topics include: how diagnoses are made; medication updates; developing empathy for your family member's experience; letting go of guilt; self-care; and how to communicate more effectively with your family member. For current and upcoming course schedule, click here.

NAMI Basics Course
NAMI Basics is the new signature six-week education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness. The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are also the parents or other caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral issues, undiagnosed emotional issues, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other diagnoses. For the current course schedule, click here.

Family Support Liaison Center
The Family Support Liaison Center (FSLC), funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) and based at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC Metro), serves as a citywide component of the Family Support Network. The primary function of the FSLC is to collaborate with the NYC DOHMH and the nine Family Resource Centers (FRCs) across New York City to share best practices and improve the delivery of family support services for youth and families (parent/caregivers) by creating a Family Support Network.

To learn more, download the following materials:

Fact Sheet [PDF]
Directory [Word document]

Presentations:

Overview of a Learning Collaborative
Mary M. McKay, Ph.D.

Enhancing Quality Everyday
Mary M. McKay, Ph.D.

Research on Family Support: Models and New Directions
Kimberly Eaton Hoagwood, Ph.D.

First CQI Projects in Family Support
Mary M. McKay, Ph.D.

Call Materials:

2/10/12 Call

Boundaries Call - Directions for Form

Boundaries Call - Inquiry Form

Background: Much of the literature on helper-family boundaries is based on assumptions that the relationship between the two parties is structured and formal. These assumptions do not always apply in community-based family support practice, where the worker and the family/youth interact in a wide variety of settings and circumstances. The relative informality of family support makes establishment of appropriate worker-parent, worker-youth boundaries both critical and difficult. This Learning Collaborative will focus on an exploration of boundary challenges in family support work and consider ways of recognizing and managing these issues.

FRC Vision Statement

Instructions for 11/18/11 Call

Materials for 11/18/11 Call

Mini CQI Project for 8/5/11 Call

Question List for 2/17/11 Call

Notes from 2/17/11 Call

We encourage everyone to explore our other support groups and courses:

Groups for Mental Health Consumers

Groups for Caregivers of Children and Adolescents

Groups for Young Adults and Their Caregivers

Social Support Groups

Courses