Family & Peer Support

By National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Cambridge/Middlesex

We offer free support groups for family members and friends of people with mental illness, as well as peer supports for people suffering from a mental health condition.

Image of Family Support Groups program
This is an ongoing program.
Monday. Evening.

first and third Mondays of month

Ages: 14 to Adults.

Registration required

  • Sign-up is ongoing

Free!

Location

  • Only virtual (online or over the phone).

Cambridge Hospital

1493 Cambridge Street
3rd Floor Learning Center
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Mid Cambridge

Additional information

The support groups are facilitated by trained NAMI members. Conducted in a confidential atmosphere, the purpose of the support groups is to help provide mutual support and coping strategies. Many, many families have found these groups helpful.

For Family Members:

  • Family-to-Family Education Program (F2F) is an evidence-based comprehensive 8-week program for those who have loved ones with serious mental health conditions.
    • Classes are led by trained, experienced volunteers.
    • All classes are currently online,
    • Topics include current information about serious mental illnesses, medications and side effects, gaining empathy for those living with mental health conditions, communication techniques, strategies for handling crises, community supports, and caring for the caregivers.
    • Free and confidential.
    • For more information, click here
  • Family Support Groups (FSG) are sessions of listening and sharing for family and friends of people with mental health conditions, led by trained, experienced volunteers. Meetings are currently online.
    • Participants are parents, siblings, partners, adult children, and other family members and friends, and emphasis is on providing mutual support and exchanging resources.
    • Free and confidential.
    • For more information, click here

For Peers:

  • Peer-to-Peer Program (P2P) is a unique, experiential 8-week learning program for people with mental health conditions who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery. It is taught by two trained volunteers with their own lived experience.
    • Participants come away from the course with a recovery workbook, support network, crisis plan, and other important tools.