NAMI DuPage Family Services & Support Groups
NAMI DuPage offers a wide variety of support services for people who have family members or loved ones living with a mental health condition. Our goal with these services is to provide an open space for these families to speak candidly about their challenges, help each other through their learned wisdom, and to learn more about how to care for their loved ones.
at [email protected], or by phone at (630) 752-0066.
Support Groups
Family and Friends Support Group
NAMI DuPage’s Family and Friends Support Group welcomes people who have family members or loved ones living with a mental health condition. Led by trained NAMI facilitators who are going through similar experiences, we hope you will feel encouraged by talking openly about your challenges, and by learning from shared experiences from other participants. A faith-based version of this support group is available, as well as a virtual version in Spanish hosted by NAMI Illinois. We hope to see you there!
Wheaton
Meeting Address:
NAMI DuPage
Linda A Kurzawa
Community Center
115 N County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Day: Wednesday
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Naperville
Meeting Address:
Calvary Church – Naperville
9S200 Illinois Rte 59
Naperville, IL 60564
*Enter through Door 29. Meeting in Room 223 (2nd floor).
Day: 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
OAK BROOK - (FAITH-BASED)
Meeting Address:
Christ Church of Oak Brook
501 Oak Brook Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
*Meeting in Room 264 on the main level.
Day: 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
NAMI Grupo de Apoyo Familiar - (Virtual y en español, organizado por NAMI Illinois)
En línea a través de Zoom Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre cómo unirse.
Día: Segundo sábado y último jueves del mes
Hora: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Parent Support Services
Parent Support Group
Our parent support groups are for parents with children (under the age of 18) who are living with a mental health condition. Join us to hear real successes from real people who have found recovery from mental illness, and from young adults and their parents about their lived experiences.
Meeting Address: Online via Zoom
Day: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Family Peer Support
Interested in having a 1:1 session for further support? Family support is also provided by our Family Partnership Professionals, who use their experience in supporting a loved one living with a mental health condition to provide hope, resources and support. For more information about setting up an appointment, visit our Peer Support page by clicking the button below!
Partner Support Group
NAMI DuPage
Linda A Kurzawa Community Center
115 N County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
This group is temporarily on hold.
Suicide Loss Connections Group
- A safe place, where those who have lost a friend, family member or loved one to suicide can share openly about their feelings and experiences
- An environment of hope, understanding and respect
NAMI DuPage
Linda A Kurzawa Community Center
115 N County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Day: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Educational Courses For Families
Family-to-Family is a free 8-week educational course designed specifically for adult family members (18+) and others who have adult loved ones living with a mental illness. The course is taught by other family members who have received intensive training for these presentations. The 2.5 hour class meets for 8 consecutive weeks, and each session builds upon the previous topics covered. Over 300,000 family members have graduated from this evidence based national program.
Visit the Family-to-Family Class series page for more information on upcoming classes and how to register!
This course includes:
1. Current information about mental health conditions, co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders
2. Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence
3. Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery
4. Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse
5. And so much more valuable information!
NAMI Ending the Silence – Families
Our Ending the Silence education programs were created here at the DuPage County, Illinois affiliate to provide mental health educational presentations to students, parents and school staff. Since its inception in 2007, it has since been recognized and adopted by NAMI National, and is now presented by NAMI affiliates across the country. Our family version of this program includes a 1-hour presentation for adults with middle or high school aged youth that includes warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child, and how to work with school staff.
For more information about our Ending the Silence programs, or to schedule a presentation, visit our Youth Services page.
NAMI Family & Friends Seminar
NAMI Family & Friends is a FREE seminar that informs people who have loved ones living with a mental health condition on how to best support them. Whether you choose the 90 minute, 2 hour or 4 hour version, you will benefit from the opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support.
The seminar is led by those with lived experience of supporting a family member living with a mental health condition, who will guide you through the following topics:
2. Effective communication strategies
3. The importance of self-care
4. Crisis preparation strategies
5. NAMI and community resources
NAMI Homefront Educational Program
Based on the nationally recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and veterans living with mental health conditions. The program is taught by trained family members of service members/veterans with mental health conditions, who will guide you through the following topics:
2. Identify and access federal, state and local services
3. Stay informed on the latest research and information on mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression and substance use
4. Understand current treatments and evidence-based therapies
5. Navigate the challenges and impact of mental health conditions on the entire family
6. Manage a crisis, solve problems and communicate effectively
NAMI Basics OnDemand
NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other families who provide care for youths (aged 22 and under) who are living with mental health symptoms. Diagnoses discussed in the class include: childhood onset of bipolar disorder, childhood onset of schizophrenia, depression, ADD, ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD and eating disorders. Trained family members, who have firsthand experience with the rewards and challenges of raising children with mental illnesses, volunteer to teach Basics.
This course includes information about the following topics:
2. Getting an accurate diagnosis
3. An overview of treatment options
4. Impact on family members
5. Navigating the system for your child, (school, mental health)
6. Manage a crisis, solve problems and communicate effectively