Course topics include



• The impact mental health conditions can have on your entire family
• Different types of mental health care professionals, available treatment options and therapies
• An overview of the public mental health care, school and juvenile justice systems and resources to help you navigate these systems
• How to advocate for your child's rights at school and in health care settings
• How to prepare for and respond to crisis situations (self-harm, suicide attempts, etc.)
• The importance of taking care of yourself 
• Much, much more

The NAMI Basics Education course is a 6-week education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms.  There is no fee to attend and all course materials are provided at no cost.

The course is taught by trained volunteers with lived experience raising a child with a mental health condition.  They know what you're going through because they've been there too.



The Basics course was introduced in Sarnia as a pilot project.  It will be offered in other areas once the volunteer trainers are certified by NAMI US to teach other facilitators.