Education
NAMI McHenry County (MCH) offers a wide range of evidence-based educational opportunities for those suffering from mental illness, their friends and families, and their communities.
Register for classes at no cost or get access to more information and resources.
For Individuals
Peer-to-Peer
What is NAMI Peer-to-Peer? An 8-session evidence-based educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. Provided at NO cost, the program is taught by trained leaders with lived experience, this program includes activities, discussions and informative videos. The course provides an opportunity for mutual support and growth. Experience compassion and understanding from people who relate to your experiences. This is a place to learn more about recovery in an accepting environment.
What is the cost?
Provided at no cost to you.
Here’s what people are saying after taking the course:
“I’ve really learned how to cope with my triggers better, and I’m now on the path to truly loving myself.”
“NAMI Peer-to-Peer gave me hope when I was close to giving up. I realized that things can and do get better and that my mental health condition doesn’t define me. I learned how to speak up for myself, build a strong support network and make plans for my future. I felt welcome and like I was among friends. Most importantly, I felt heard and understood.”
See our Workshops section for details and dates.
For the Family
Family-to-Family
What is NAMI Family-to-Family? An 8-session course for family, partners, friends and significant others of people living with mental illness. Provided at NO cost, the program is taught by trained teachers who are also family members and know what it is like to have a loved one living with a mental health condition. The course includes information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions. It is designed to help Adult family members understand and support their loved one living with mental illness, while learning to maintain their own well-being.
What is the cost?
Provided at no cost to you.
Thousands of families describe the program as life-changing!
Here’s what two participants had to say:
“The course has helped me to realize that my son is still inside the body that is often times hidden by the mental illness and that I am not alone in this.”
“This course overall was the single most, without a doubt, helpful and informative thing ever offered in all my years searching for answers… It has helped me to understand better and communicate more effectively with my brother.”
See our Workshops section for details and dates.
NAMI Basics OnDemand
Online Self-Paced Course
What is NAMI Basics OnDemand? A six-session online education program, at no cost, for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms. NAMI Basics OnDemand is an adaptation of the in-person course offered in 43 states by NAMI affiliates. NAMI McHenry County offers a follow-up: Parent Support & Resource Workshop.
What is Covered in the Course:
The impact mental health can have on an entire family
Available treatment options and therapies
An overview of the public mental health care, school systems, and juvenile justice systems
How to be an advocate for your child
How to prepare for and respond to crisis situations
The importance of taking care of yourself
For the Community
NAMI Talks
A community education program designed to educate the community on different topics to assist individuals living with a mental health condition and their families achieve a better life.
See our Workshops section for details and dates.
QPR: Suicide Prevention Training
For school staff, professionals, community organizations and partners
What is QPR?
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. These are the steps that anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. QPR Training is a one-hour presentation that will teach you simple suicide prevention techniques. Much like CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, the use of QPR may save a life.
What is a QPR Gatekeeper?
A QPR Gatekeeper is anyone in a position to recognize the warning signs of someone who might be contemplating suicide.
Who should take QPR training?
School staff, social workers, first responders, public officials, faith communities, staff of parks and recreation; anyone who works with people, regardless of their field of employment, can benefit.
Why should I take QPR training?
FACTS & STATISTICS
Across the country nearly 45,000 people die by suicide each year.
Suicide is a Public Health Problem. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death.
In Illinois suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for people ages 15 – 34.
123 completed suicides each day. For each completed suicide, we can estimate approximately 25 people will have made an attempt.
In McHenry County, suicide took the lives of 43 in 2017, 34 in 2018 and 25 in 2019.
See our Workshops section for details and dates.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training
For school staff, professionals, community organizations and partners
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
Presented by a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, in this 8-hour course, participants will learn:
Identifying Common Mental Health Challenges and Disorders
5 step action plan
Identifying multiple types of professional and self-help resources
Increase confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress
Show increased mental-wellness themselves
Each attendee will receive a workbook and certificate of completion, as well as additional resources.
See our Workshops section for details and dates.
Youth MHFA
Training for adults who regularly interact with youth
What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Much like first aid in emergency situations, Youth Mental Health First Aid is training for adults who regularly interact with youth to help adolescents experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or are in crisis.
Presented by a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, in this 8-hour course, participants will learn about:
Common Mental Health Challenges and Disorders in Youth
Typical Adolescent Development
5 step action plan
Substance Use in Youth
How to interact with a Youth in Crisis
Each attendee will receive a workbook and certificate of completion, as well as additional resources.
See our Workshops section for details and dates.
Teen MHFA
Training for high school students
What is Teen Mental Health First Aid?
teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use issues in their friends and peers.
Presented by a certified Teen Mental Health First Aid instructor, in this in-person course, participants will learn:
Common signs and symptoms of mental illness
Common signs and symptoms of substance use
Common signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis, particularly suicide
How to open the conversation about mental illnesses and addiction
The impact of school violence and bullying on mental health
How to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult
Each attendee will receive a workbook and certificate of completion, as well as additional resources.
See our Workshops section for details and dates.