National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont

Conference The NAMI Vermont Annual Conference brings together mental health professionals, family members and peers for education and networking on the latest in mental health research, best practices, and to raise awareness to confront stigma that surrounds mental illness. Our keynote speakers and workshop presenters include national and statewide professionals. Exhibitors and sponsors help to support the event along with registration fees. Scholarships are available for those with limited income.

Peer Support NAMI Vermont provides support to individuals living with mental illness via the warm line for information and referral, distribution of educational brochures and NAMI Connection Support Groups. NAMI Connection is a NAMI signature support group facilitated by trained individuals living with mental illness. Connection support groups meet for 90 minutes and are free to attend. At these meetings, individuals living with mental illness learn from one anothers experiences, share coping strategies, and offer mutual encouragement and understanding. A total of seven support groups that reached 801 participants.

Family Ed The NAMI Family-to-Family education course is a free, evidence-based 8-week NAMI Signature Program structured to help families and friends of individuals with mental illness understand and support their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being. The curriculum includes information on the brain, medication, types of mental illnesses, crisis management, problem solving, communication skills, coping strategies, self-care, recovery and advocacy. The course is taught by volunteer trained family members. A total of three Family-to-Family classes were held Total Participants Enrolled 70. Total Participants Completed 47.