NAMI Cape Cod & The Islands serves individuals and their families who are affected by the broad spectrum of mental illness and neurological disorders through support, education, and advocacy and promotes mental wellness for all.
CONVERSATION ON MENTAL HEALTH SERIES FROM LOWER CAPE TV.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to educate, support, and advocate for mental wellness through partnerships with families and community resources in the building of mentally healthy lives throughout Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
SUPPORT
Support is provided through local support group meetings, membership meetings, speaker events, and other services provided through our local office at 5 Mark Lane in Hyannis.
EDUCATE
Education is provided through classes and programs offered to both family members and individuals with mental illness as well as participation in community activities, resources, and an e-news bulletin.
ADVOCATE
As a recognized voice on mental illness, legislative advocacy is provided at the local and state levels as well as through the national organization in Arlington, VA.
OUR VISION
NAMI Cape Cod & the Islands envisions being instrumental in identifying the mental health needs of the Cape and Islands’ diverse populations and, in collaboration with community partners, envisioning and implementing a comprehensive system that integrates mental health as an essential component of health care that is accessible to all.
NAMI Family-to-Family is NAMI’s flagship education program for family members of people diagnosed with mental health conditions. This free, 8-week program is facilitated by trained volunteers who are family members, caring for their loved ones themselves.
The class provides family caretakers with education about mental health conditions, skills workshops, and information about available resources. The NAMI Family-to-Family curriculum includes:
- Information about mental health conditions and treatments
- Coping skills, handling crisis and relapse, local and national resources
- Listening and communication techniques
- Problem-solving, limit setting, self-care
Most importantly, the class offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. Class participants find that the Family-to-Family experience empowers them to understand and pursue paths toward healthy recovery for their loved ones, their families, and themselves.