Support & Education

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions.

The Family to Family curriculum provides current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder-manic depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders.

Please contact Marilyn Rowland at 785-806-3049 or at mrowland5331110@yahoo.com or Susan Wallace at 785-231-7253 or walace@swbell.net for more information or to register for this educational class.

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. Each Peer-to-Peer class consists of eight two-hour classes and is taught by a team of trained "mentors" who are personally experienced at living in recovery.

For more information contact Jessica Harvey at jharvey216@gmail.com or call NAMI Topeka at 785-580-3021 to be placed on a waiting list for our next class.

NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

NAMI Family Support Group will help you:

Develop better coping skills
Find strength and acceptance in sharing experiences
Forgive ourselves and reject guilt
Embrace humor as healthy
Accept that we cannot solve every problem
Understand that mental health conditions are no one's fault and can be traumatic experiences

Meets the second Monday of each month from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage. For more information, please contact Kay Logan (kay.logan@att.net) at 785-408-1089 or Susan Barnes at 785-220-6771.

NAMI Basics is a free 6-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family members who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. This program is free to participants, 99% of whom say they would recommend the program to others. NAMI Basics is available both in person and online through NAMI Basics OnDemand.

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

To inquire about in person classes or OnDemand

Contact Lisa Schmitt 785-230-9399 or David Schmitt at 785-213-4153 or email them at NAMIBasicsTopeka@gmail.com

NAMI Connections is a support group for people with mental health conditions. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders who've been there.

What You’ll Gain

By sharing your experiences in a safe and confidential setting, you can gain hope and feel a sense of connection. The group encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community. You'll benefit from other's experiences, discover your inner strength, and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group will help you:

Aim for better coping skills
Find strength in sharing experiences
Not judge anyone's pain
Forgive ourselves and reject guilt
Embrace humor as healthy
Accept that we cannot solve every problem
Understand that mental health conditions are no one's fault and can be traumatic experiences

For more information, please contact us at: TopekaNAMI@Gmail.com or 785-580-3021

We are a student-led club that aims to tackle mental health issues on campus by raising mental health awareness, educating the campus community, supporting student needs, so they have positive, successful and fun college experiences, promoting services, supports, and advocating.

Are you a Student?

College is an exciting and sometimes very stressful time. The challenges of college can be made even more difficult for the 1 in 5 students who also face a mental health condition. Nearly three-quarters of mental health conditions emerge by age 24, so many college students are facing mental health concerns for the first time and may not know where to go for support.

NAMI knows that some of the best support a student can receive is from peers. When students connect with one another, they can share common experiences and support each other through the transitions. If you are a Washburn University, Washburn Tech, Topeka High, Topeka West, Highland Park, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural or student of any other educational institution in or around Shawnee County, we would love to have you be a part of NAMI on Campus!

For more information, please contact us at: TopekaNAMI@Gmail.com or 785-580-3021

NAMI In Our Own Voice presentations change attitudes, assumptions and ideas about people with mental health conditions. These free, 40, 60 or 90 minute presentations provide a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition.

NAMI In Our Own Voice is a unique presentation in which two trained speakers share their compelling personal stories of living with mental health challenges and achieving recovery. Audiences range from individuals with mental health challenges, students of all ages, law enforcement officials and faith community members to veterans and service providers. While audiences benefit from the inspirational stories of the speakers, presenters increase their confidence and develop leadership skills while helping to inspire and motivate others.

For more information or to schedule a presentation, please contact us at: TopekaNAMI@Gmail.com or 785-580-3021

NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions. The class helps families understand what the Service Member/ Veteran is experiencing related to trauma, combat stress, civilian life transition, PTSD and other mental health conditions.

Based on the nationally recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country. The program is designed to help family members understand and support their Service Member/Veteran while maintaining their own well-being. The program is taught by trained family members of service members/veterans who have personal experience with mental health conditions impacting their Service Member/Veteran.

NAMI Homefront teaches you how to:

Learn to care for yourself, including managing your stress
Support your family member with compassion
Identify and access federal, state and local services
Stay informed on the latest research and information on mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression and substance use
Understand current treatments and evidence-based therapies
Navigate the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on the entire family
Manage a crisis, solve problems and communicate effectively

For more information, please contact us at: TopekaNAMI@Gmail.com or 785-580-3021

Say it Out Loud

What is Say it Out Loud?

Say it Out Loud is an educational program designed to help adults talk with youth about mental health. One in five teens lives with a mental health condition and yet more than half are not getting the help they need. Stigma remains a huge barrier to teens seeking help. Many cite fear of negative perceptions as a major factor in choosing not to speak up.

Raising awareness by sharing information and starting conversations about mental health is key in reducing these perceptions and increasing the likelihood that teens will seek mental health care when they need it. NAMI is committed to helping start those conversations. We have created Say it Out Loud to get teens talking about mental health.

Say it Out Loud gives adults the tools they need to hold conversations about mental health with teens in faith-based or community youth groups. The toolkit includes:

If you're ready to say it out loud, click the links above to download the toolkit. You can download the film by clicking the "download" button underneath the video. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of teens!

For more information, please contact: TopekaNAMI@Gmail.com or 785-580-3021