Youth & NAMI Basics
And Resources for Children with Mental Health Symptoms and Their Parents and Caregivers
NAMI Basics is a free, 6-session education program for parents, guardians and other family who provide care for youth (age 22 or younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. NAMI Basics is offered in a group setting so you can connect with other people in person.
You'll learn the facts about mental health conditions and how best to support your child at home, at school and when they're getting medical care. Last year, 99% of participants told us they would recommend the program to other parents.
The course is taught by a trained team with lived experience—they know what you're going through because they've been there. The 6-session program provides strategies for taking care of your child and learning the ropes of recovery.
Since the start of the Online Format in October of 2019, over 6000 participants have enrolled in the course, as of 2/25/2020!!
What You’ll Gain
At NAMI Basics, you'll find out that you're not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope. The group setting of NAMI Basics provides mutual support and shared positive impact—experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Your own experience may help others in the group.
NAMI Basics covers:
Solving problems and communicating effectively
How to take care of yourself and handle stress
Accepting that mental health conditions are no one's fault
Developing the confidence and stamina to support your child with compassion
Advocating for your child's rights at school and in health care settings
Learning about different types of mental health care professionals, available treatment options and therapies
Preparing for and responding to crisis
Gaining an overview of the public mental health care, school and juvenile justice systems and supporting resources to help you navigate these systems
Understanding the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on your entire family
What People Are Saying
"This is such a great step by step program that walks parents through every step of the way. It is as if you are holding their hand through it all."
"This class was unexpectedly wonderful! I did not expect to learn so very, very much! This program is well written with excellent segues between topics. It covers so much more than BASICS that the title doesn't do it justice."
"I wish this course was available when my child was first experiencing difficulty."
"I find it truly remarkable that this training is free to those who are interested."
NAMI Kids
What To Look For And When To Act
Finding Mental Health Care For Your Child
Getting Youth Child Mental Health Support And Accommodations In School
What To Do If Your Child Is In Crisis
How To Talk To Your Child About Their Mental Health
Residential Treatment
Indiana Youth System of Care
Communities coming together to support the mental wellness of young people in the interest of building resilience and hope for families.
Find you local service provider
Suicide prevention
School based initiatives
Children's Mental Health Wraparound
Trauma informed practices & resources
NAMI College Guide
Great resources for those new to college and their parents.

Children's Mental Health Guide for Parents
From One in 5 Minds. For more info on this children's mental health advocacy organization, click here: https://www.1in5minds.org/
For LGBTQ+ Kids - Click HERE
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
Info from the Child Mind Institute at childmind.org
Find Your Anchor
A grassroots movement aimed at suicide prevention, awareness and education. Little blue boxes of hope are built and sent out to be placed anywhere in the world in hopes of someone who is need will find them. Filled with inspiration, reasons to live and helpful resources.
The Bandana Project
The Bandana Project was founded on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus in January of 2016 with the help of a NAMI On Campus chapter. The Bandana Project is a simple yet innovative suicide prevention and mental health awareness movement. As an organization, they support chapters in creating community connections, bolstering resources and making positive changes in mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
Inspiring My Generation
Inspiring My Generation's Encouragement Card Program is designed to engage the community in providing notes of love, support, and encouragement to individuals hospitalized for mental health condition, with the goal that the individual receiving the card will find some comfort and motivation through their recovery.
Ring The Alarm
The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide In America
Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health
Mental Health America
MHA’s 2021 Back to School toolkit, “Facing Fears, Supporting Students,” aims to help students, parents, and school personnel recognize how feeling unsafe can impact mental health and school performance, and what can be done to help young people who are struggling with their mental health.
Preventing Suicide: The Role of High School Teachers
Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
Equity in Mental Health Framework
Recommendations for Colleges and Universities to Support the Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health of Students of Color.
More info here: Equity in Mental Health Framework

Families for Depression Awareness
Teen Depression—Finding Resiliency and Solutions
Live Webinar has passed, register here for the OnDemand version
NAMI - Parents and Teachers as Allies Guide
Recognizing Early-onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents

