The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States, with self help, support, and advocacy groups in every state, including Puerto Rico.   NAMI has many programs to help families, including the following:


Family-to-Family: The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illnesses).  All instruction and course materials are free for class participants. The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need in order to cope more effectively.

Peer-to-Peer: Peer-to-Peer is a unique, educational program for people with serious mental illness interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery. Peer-to-Peer consists of nine, two-hour courses taught by a team of three trained “mentors” who are personally experienced at successfully living with mental illness.  Course attendees are provided with a binder of hand-out materials, as well as useful and important resources; an advanced plan and directive for the future, a relapse prevention plan which helps to identify the feelings, thoughts, behavior or events that may be the early warning signs of an impending relapse, how to organize for an intervention, mental and emotional exercises that help keep an individual focused and thinking calmly and clearly, and coping skills for how to work with providers and the general public.

Hearts and Mind: The purpose of the program is to raise awareness and provide information regarding; diabetes, diet, exercise, smoking and substance abuse.  Along with basic information about addictions, recovery, stigma and treatment, they also offer information on diabetes and sleep apnea, and tips for a healthy diet, including a shopping list template, recipes, and a food diary. Type ll Diabetes has become a particular concern, since research has begun to question the link between some psychiatric medications and the disease.  

To find a NAMI chapter closest to you, contact NAMI by mail at  NAMI, Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042 or call Member Services 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).

Ms. MacDonald’s practice is limited to Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law.  Ms. MacDonald maintains her practice in the Santa Clarita Valley at 27013 Langside Avenue, Suite A in Santa Clarita.  She can be reached at 661-251-1300.