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NAMI Basics is the new, and free, signature education program for parents and other caregivers of
children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The program was developed around elements that
have been extensively tested and found to be highly effective in the field, including:
caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the
age of 13 years. All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.
children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The program was developed around elements that
have been extensively tested and found to be highly effective in the field, including:
- Recognition of mental illness as a continuing traumatic event for the child and the family
- Sensitivity to the subjective emotional issues faced by family caregivers and well children in the
family - Recognition of the need to help ameliorate the day-to-day objective burdens of care and
management - Gaining confidence and stamina for what can be a lifelong role of family understanding and
support - Empowerment of family caregivers as effective advocates for their children
caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the
age of 13 years. All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.
What is NAMI Basics?
The goals of the course are:
- To give the parent/caregiver the fundamental information necessary to be an effective caregiver.
- To help the parent/caregiver cope with the traumatic impact that mental illness has on the child living with the illness and the entire family.
- 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. - To help the parent/caregiver take the best care possible of the entire family – especially themselves.
What are the goals of the NAMI Basics program, and what does the course include?
The course includes:
- Introduction to the normative stages of emotional reactions of the family to the trauma of mental illness
- Insights into an empathic understanding of the subjective, lived experience of the child living with the mental illness
- 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
- 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
More information regarding the NAMI Basics education program, including Ask the Doctor section (which includes
videos) and information on a pilot study of the effectiveness of NAMI Basics, is available at NAMI national's (our
national affiliate) website: http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=NAMI_Basics1
For more information, you can also contact your local affiliate, or contact NAMI Arizona and ask to speak with the
Program Director about NAMI Basics.
videos) and information on a pilot study of the effectiveness of NAMI Basics, is available at NAMI national's (our
national affiliate) website: http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=NAMI_Basics1
For more information, you can also contact your local affiliate, or contact NAMI Arizona and ask to speak with the
Program Director about NAMI Basics.
For more information...
NAMI Basics is coming soon. Therefore, there are not yet any classes to sign up for. However, once NAMI Basics
has arrived, you can (like with all other NAMI Arizona programs) contact your local affiliate to register for a class
and/or sign-up to be on a waiting list for upcoming classes.
has arrived, you can (like with all other NAMI Arizona programs) contact your local affiliate to register for a class
and/or sign-up to be on a waiting list for upcoming classes.
How can I attend a class?
Yes. If you are interested in teaching NAMI Basics, please (like with all other NAMI Arizona programs) contact your local affiliate to indicate your interest
in being trained as a NAMI Basics teacher. If your local affiliates is involved in this program (not all affiliates are currently hosting this program), they will
record your interest and contact you when the next training is being scheduled.
in being trained as a NAMI Basics teacher. If your local affiliates is involved in this program (not all affiliates are currently hosting this program), they will
record your interest and contact you when the next training is being scheduled.
Can I be involved in teaching this class?
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Coming soon... a free, new signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents
living with mental illnesses. The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness.
living with mental illnesses. The fundamentals of caring for you, your family and your child with mental illness.