NAMI Program Overview 

NAMI's education and support programs provide relevant information, valuable insight, and the opportunity to engage in support networks. These programs draw on the lived experience of individuals who have learned to live well with mental illness and have been extensively trained to help others, as well as the expertise of mental health professionals and educators.

Support and Education Programs  

General Meetings take place the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the McHenry County Mental Health Board Building, 620 Dakota St., Crystal Lake IL.  An ad hoc support session is also available.  

2010 General Meeting Program Schedule
Date Topic Speaker
21 January Advocacy:Why it is So Important Now Hugh Brady
18 February Life After Mental Illness Documentary film
18 March More Than Sad: Suicide Prevention Dr. Rick Kirchhoff and film
15 April Creativity and Mental Health / Art Therapy Erin Denk
20 May Brain Imaging: First Chicago Neuroscience Clinic  
17 June Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Peace 4 All
15 July CASA  
19 August WRAP Donna Buss
16 September PADS  
21 October Walkathon Results  
18 November Elections  
16 December Christmas Party / Community Awards  

 

For information on the following programs, including dates, times, and location, please contact NAMI-MC Program Director Susan Ling at 815-344-8300

 

For those diagnosed with a mental illness

  • NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a 90-minute group run by persons who live with mental illness for persons who also live with mental illness of any diagnosis, and is held at different times and locations throughout McHenry County.

  • Peer-to-Peer is a free, 10-week course for consumers which covers individual relapse prevention, debriefing/storytelling, and an advance directive for psychiatric care.

For family and friends of adults

  • Family-to-Family is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illness that discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.

For caregivers of children and adolescents

  • Visions for Tomorrow is a free, 12-week course for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness.  Learn how the brain develops, how these illnesses occur, and ways to help both you and your child cope with and live effectively with a diagnosis.

  • NAMI Basics is a new, 6-week education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness which contains basic information that parents most need to help their child.

For educators

  • Parents and Teachers as Allies is a 2-hour, in-service program focused on helping school professionals and families within the school community better understand the early warning signs of mental illness in children and adolescents and how best to intervene so that youth with mental health treatment needs are linked with services

Other Programs   

  • Scholarship Award Mental health clients may apply to McHenry County College for scholarship funds for course-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books and supplies.  This was made possible through NAMI-MC fundraising efforts and the generous support of our growing membership. For more information, please contact Carolyn Gray, Financial Aid Scholarship Specialist, at (815) 455- 8911.

  • Group Homes AMI and Phoenix group homes offer adults who have a mental illness the opportunity to live together in a family-style atmosphere. NAMI's vision of recovery is shared through a unique partnership with Thresholds.  The homes are supported by the McHenry County Mental Board. For more information call Thresholds at 815-338-8324.