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.
| Telephone: |
212.684.3264 |
| E-mail: |
helpline@naminyc.org |
| Hours: |
Monday - Thursdays: 12:00 - 7:00 pm |
| |
Fridays: 12:00 - 6:00 pm |
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.
Your Child's Mental Health
Your Child's Mental Health is a series of monthly lunch-hour conference call presentations for parents and other interested individuals.
Every month a local expert provides a live presentation on a mental health topic or resource related to children. Topics include ADD/ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, special education, summer camps, and other community resources. After the presentation, parents have the opportunity to ask questions. Call the Helpline at 212-684-3264 for information on upcoming topics.
Calls are held from Noon to 1:00 pm. English-language calls are held on the third Wednesday of the month; Spanish-language calls are held on the first Wednesday of the month. To participate, dial 1-866-502-8312 (toll free) and, when prompted, enter passcode 990738#.
Parents can access the free recording for one month after the scheduled date, and all recordings are permanently archived at the Kenneth Johnson Memorial Research Library.
Free recordings for most recent calls:
Check back in the fall of 2010.
Spanish-language calls are co-sponsored by NAMI-NYC Metro and the Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals (AHMHP). The content of this presentation series is for informational purposes only. Neither NAMI-NYC Metro, nor AHMHP, nor the presenters are rendering medical advice. Neither NAMI-NYC Metro, nor AHMHP, nor the presenters in this series assume any liability in connection with this information. For information in Spanish, click here. Por información en Español, haz clic aquí.
Support Group for Parents of Children & Adolescents
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| Facilitators: |
Mary Ann Cerón, Nancy Parker, and Deniece Chi |
| Date and Time: |
First and third Saturday of each month; 12:30 - 2:30 pm |
| Location: |
NAMI-NYC Metro - 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1103 (at 35th Street) New York, NY 10018 |
| Description: |
Support, sharing of coping strategies, and practical information for parents of children with severe emotional or behavioral disorders or mental illness. |
| Instructions for First Time Attendees: |
Interested parties feel free to attend. Please contact the Helpline with questions. |
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.
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.