State Trainings

All NAMI support groups, education programs, and presentations are led by NAMI-trained volunteers with lived experience. If you interested in any of the below training opportunities, contact your local NAMI Affiliate. You can find a listing here. 

All applicants must have the recommendation of their NAMI Affiliate.  Candidates in Pennsylvania must also obtain and provide the Act 33 Child Abuse History Clearance and Act 34 Criminal History Clearance to be considered.

• Act 33 Child Abuse History Clearances can be obtained for free online at this link. For a detailed guide on how an individual can obtain this clearance, click here.
• Act 34 Criminal Background Clearances can be obtained for free online at this link.

*If you have secured Act 33/34 clearances in the last five years, you may submit those records instead of requesting new ones.

If you have questions, please email the NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Education Department at education@namikeystonepa.org.

NAMI Connection Peer Support Group Facilitator Training

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups are peer-based support group programs for adults living with a mental health diagnosis. Connection groups are led by two trained facilitators who are in recovery and are at a point where they want to give back to others by offering encouragement and support through their own experiences. Trained facilitators may receive a stipend per meeting depending on the supporting NAMI Affiliate. Please inquire with your local NAMI affiliate regarding available stipends.

Training Requirements

1. Must be an individual with a mental health diagnosis who identifies as being in recovery.
2. Must be willing to commit to co-leading a NAMI Connection support group twice a month.
3. Candidates will adhere to the NAMI program guidelines of confidentiality.
4. Must be a NAMI member or become a member prior to training.

NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator Training

NAMI Family Support Groups are free, peer-led, confidential support groups for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with a mental health condition. NAMI’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and participate. NAMI Family Support Group Facilitators are trained peers (family members/loved ones) who have a loved one living with a mental health diagnosis.

Training Requirements

1. Must be a family member/significant other/close friend of an individual who is living with a mental health diagnosis.
2. Must be able to attend mandatory two-day training.
3. Must be a NAMI member or become a member prior to training.
4. Willingness to maintain fidelity to the NAMI Family Support Group model and maintain participant confidentiality.

NAMI Family-to-Family Program Leader Training

(Virtual Training Feb. 10-11, 2024)
NAMI Family-to-Family is an eight-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of adults who are living with a mental health diagnosis. The course provides critical information and strategies for supporting the person you love. The program also covers communication techniques, problem-solving, family advocacy, self-care, and more.

Training Requirements

1. Must be a family member/significant other of an adult who has a mental health diagnosis.
2. While not mandatory, it is preferred that you are a graduate of the NAMI Family-to-Family education program.
3. Must be able to attend the 1.5 day in-person (or virtual) training and complete the one-hour online training.
4. Candidates will adhere to the NAMI program guidelines of confidentiality.
5. Must be a NAMI member prior to the training.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer Program Leader Training

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is an eight-session, recovery-focused course designed to help adults who are experiencing mental health challenges achieve and maintain wellness. The course is taught by trained peers with lived experience. Classes follow a structured educational format that includes an opportunity for peer connection and support through learned wisdom and group discussion. Discussions are confidential. Interactive exercises focus on mindfulness and meditation, relapse prevention, and practical coping skills.

Training Requirements

1. Must be an individual with a mental health diagnosis who identifies as being in recovery.
2. Must be able to attend the training in its entirety.
3. Willingness to adhere to the fidelity of the NAMI Peer-to-Peer model and maintain participant confidentiality.
4. Must be a NAMI member prior to the training.

NAMI Homefront Leader Training

NAMI Homefront is a free, six-session educational program for families, caregivers, and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions. Based on the nationally-recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family members, caregivers, and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country.

Training Requirements

1. Must be a family member/significant other of a military service member or veteran who has a mental health diagnosis.
2. While not mandatory, it is preferred that you are a graduate of the NAMI Homefront education program.
3. Must be able to attend the training in its entirety.
4. Candidates will adhere to the NAMI program guidelines of confidentiality.
5. Must be a NAMI member prior to the training.

 

NAMI Basics Leader Training

NAMI Basics is a free, six-week education program for parents and family caregivers of youth ages 22 and younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms. The course is taught by a trained team with lived experience—they know what you’re going through because they’ve been there. The program provides critical strategies for taking care of your child and learning the ropes of recovery.

Training Requirements:

1. Be the parent or other primary caregiver of a youth who began experiencing symptoms prior to the age of 13.
2. Be at a point in their life where they are familiar and comfortable with the emotional issues families face and can self-disclose their own feelings regarding their life situation.
3. Be willing to commit to teaching two six-week NAMI Basic courses within a two-year period.
4. Candidates will adhere to the NAMI program guidelines of confidentiality.
5. Must be a NAMI member prior to the training.

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training

NAMI In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a unique mental health awareness presentation in which two individuals talk openly about living with a mental health condition. Presentations that include personal accounts of mental illness are imperative to changing attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about people who have a mental health diagnosis. As an IOOV presenter, you will have opportunities to speak with middle and high school students, college students, peer groups, community organizations, workplaces, and more. IOOV presenters may receive a stipend for speaking engagements from their supporting NAMI affiliate.

Training Requirements:

1. Must be someone who is living with a mental health diagnosis and identifies as being in recovery.
2. Individuals must be comfortable talking in front of various audiences and willing to share aspects of their personal experience of living with mental illness.
3. Candidates will adhere to the fidelity of the NAMI In Our Own Voice model.

NAMI Ending the Silence Presenter Training

NAMI Ending the Silence (ETS) is a free, evidence-based mental health awareness presentation designed for middle and high school students, school staff, and parents or guardians of middle or high school aged youth. Audiences learn about the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, how to recognize the early warning signs, and the importance of acknowledging those warning signs and getting help. The presentation also includes personal testimony from a youth or young adult with lived experience about their journey in learning to cope with their mental health challenges.

ETS presentations consist of two presenters, a lead presenter and a young adult presenter.

Lead Presenter Requirements

1. Must be an adult over the age of 35 who is either a family member or an individual living in recovery with a mental health condition.

Young Adult Presenter Requirements

1. Must be a young adult between the ages of 18-35 who is living in recovery and able to share their personal experience with a mental health condition.
2. The presenter should relate well to youth ages 13-21 and be willing to engage in dialogue with students.