NAMI Basics
A 6-Week Class on Mental Health for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
Basics classes are coming soon. For more information, please use the contact information at the bottom of this section. Classes fill up quickly!
NAMI Basics is a free, six-session program designed for parents and other family caregivers of children, adolescents, and young adults under the age of 22 with emotional and behavioral difficulties. NAMI Basics helps class participants understand the illnesses that could be causing those behavioral difficulties as well as the critical role families play in the treatment of those illnesses. Among the many conditions reviewed are Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Depressive Disorders, and Bipolar Disorder. The child does not need a diagnosis.
The program is taught by trained teachers who are also the parents or family caregivers of individuals who experienced emotional or behavioral difficulties during childhood and adolescence.
Counselors, educators, and others who work directly with youth are also eligible to sign up for this class.
What Basics Covers
At NAMI Basics, you’ll find out that you’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope. The group setting of NAMI Basics provides mutual support and shared positive impact—you can experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. You also can help others with your own experience.
NAMI Basics covers:
- Managing crises, solving problems and communicating effectively
- How to take care of yourself and handle stress
- Developing the confidence and stamina to support your child with compassion
- Advocating for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings
- Sample Record Keeping System
- Learning about current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects
- Gaining an overview of the public mental health care, school and juvenile justice systems and supporting resources to help you navigate these systems
- Understanding the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on your entire family
NAMI Basics OnDemand
Accessing information from our Basics program has never been easier. Now, NAMI National offers NAMI Basics OnDemand, a 24/7 online course that can be accessed by creating an account. Click the button below to get more information.
50% of all lifetime metal health challenges begin by the time a person is 14 years old, and 75% by 24 years old. Source: NAMI.org Infographic designed by Sheila Alarcon, NAMI CC 2024 Summer Intern. 1 in 6 The number of youth/adolescents who have some variation of a mental illness. Source: NAMI.org Infographic designed by Sheila Alarcon, NAMI CC 2024 Summer Intern.
Have Questions About Basics?
Olivia Henderson
(925) 765-9980
olivia.henderson@namicontracosta.org
Uriel Cardoza
(925) 433-1705
uriel.cardoza@namicontracosta.org
Shelly Ji
(925) 765-8232
shelly@namicontracosta.org
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