NAMI Tennessee Education Classes
There are classes frequently added during the month offered throughout the state. Please check back often.
Education is at the heart of what we do. It is an essential part of understanding and coping with mental illness. NAMI Tennessee and its affiliates offer a variety of programs and services directed to individuals living with mental illness, family members, friends, professionals, and the community at large to address the mental health needs of Tennesseans. Programs are designed to help participants gain a greater understanding of mental illness, cope better, worry less and feel empowered to advocate for better treatment services. Check our schedules often as classes are being added frequently.
Teacher Training Schedule
Start Date: 10/13 – 10/14/23
Class Type: NAMI With Hope in Mind Support Group Facilitator Training
Affiliate: NAMI Tennessee
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: Denise Stewart
Phone: 615-361-6608
Email: Click Here
Start Date: 1/15 – 1/19/24
Class Type: NAMI Bridges Teacher / Facilitator Training
Affiliate: NAMI Tennessee
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: Denise Stewart
Phone: 615-361-6608
Email: Click Here
Start Date: 2/23-2/25/24
Class Type: NAMI Basics Program Leader Training
Affiliate: NAMI Tennessee
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: Denise Stewart
Phone: 615-361-6608
Email: Click Here
Download Paperwork: Click Here
Start Date: TBA
Class Type: Family Support Specialist Competency Course
Affiliate: NAMI Tennessee / Tennessee Voices
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: TN Voices
Register: Click Here
Download: Registration Form
About Our Teacher Trainings
NAMI Tennessee is committed to offering Teacher Trainings to bring awareness and increase understanding of mental illness.
NAMI Bridges Teacher / Facilitator Training
This course teaches those with a mental health condition, in recovery, how to teach the BRIDGES class and facilitate BRIDGES support groups. BRIDGES is a class and support group to teach persons with a mental health condition about their illnesses and how to cope. It covers coping skills, self-care, communication skills, problem-solving and much more.
NAMI With Hope in Mind Support Group Facilitator Training
This training is for volunteer support group facilitators who have a family member or loved one with a mental health condition, that need support for themselves & would like to transform their needs into advocacy for others.
NAMI Family to Family Program Teacher Training
This training is to teach family and loved ones how to teach the NAMI Family-to-Family classes to other family members and loved ones of persons with a mental health condition.
NAMI Basics Program Leader Training
Join us and learn how to teach parents and caregivers the NAMI Basics classes to other parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with a mental health condition.
Family Support Specialist Competency Course
A Certified Family Support Specialist (CFSS) is a person who has self identified as the caregiver of a child or youth with an emotional,
behavioral or co-occurring disorder and who has successfully navigated the child-serving systems to access treatment and resources necessary to build resiliency and foster success in the home, school, and community. Certified Family Support Specialists use their life experiences to inspire hope and provide support to others who are facing similar challenges. This training allows Certified Family Support Specialists to provide a level of service and support beyond that of clinical staff.
Class Schedule
Start Date: On-Demand
Class Type: NAMI Basics
Affiliate: NAMI National
Availability: Nationwide/Virtual
Register: Click Here
Start Date: 9/7/23
Class Type: NAMI Family to Family
Affiliate: Chattanooga, Hamilton County
Availability: In-Person
Contact: Phyllis
Call: 423-653-1698
Register: Call
Start Date: 9/9/23
Class Type: NAMI Family to Family
Affiliate: Coffee County, Memphis
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: Amanda
Call: 512-633-6030
Register: Call
Start Date: 9/18/23
Class Type: NAMI Family to Family
Affiliate: Johnson City, Washington County
Availability: In-Person
Contact: Ann or Ty
Call: Ann at 423-483-1123 or
Ty at 423-483-1122
Register: Call
Start Date: 9/30/23
Class Type: NAMI Family to Family
Affiliate: Nolensville, Williamson/Maury Counties
Availability: Statewide/In-Person
Contact: Cory
Call: 404-731-3364
Register: Call
Start Date: 10/7/23
Class Type: NAMI Family to Family
Affiliate: Mt. Juliet, Wilson/Sumner Counties
Availability: In-Person
Contact: Don or Mark
Call: Don at 615-417-9083 or Mark at 623-256-3304
Register: Call
Start Date: 10/28/23
Class Type: NAMI Family to Family
Affiliate: Manchester, Coffee County
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: Brenda
Call: 217-294-2310
Register: Call
About Our Classes
NAMI Family-to-Family: This is an eight workshop program for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of those with a mental illness. It goes into mental illnesses, medications, coping skills, communication skills and self-care strategies. Learn more
NAMI Basics: This is a six workshop NAMI signature program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with a mental illness. This class covers illnesses, medication, in-depth documentation with additional resources & forms for the various systems like medical & school. Learn more
NAMI Basics on Demand: Our six-session online education program is geared toward individuals with busy schedules who want to take the course at their own pace. Easy to follow interactive videos are available 24/7. This free, online program is for parents, caregivers and others who provide care for youth and young adults with a mental health condition. Learn more
BRIDGES: (Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals Through Education and Support) This is a ten session class for individuals with a mental health condition. It covers the mental health conditions, what recovery looks like, coping skills, early warning signs, crisis planning, problem solving, communication skills, and much more.
NAMI Homefront: This is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions.Available online, learn more here … NAMI Homefront Online
Presentations and Trainings
Start Date: 6/20/23
Class Type: Family and Friends Presentation
Affiliate: NAMI Tennessee
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: Roger Stewart
Phone: 615-361-6608
Email: Click Here
Register: Click Here
Start Date: Coming Soon!
Class Type: NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training
Affiliate: NAMI Tennessee
Availability: Statewide/Virtual
Contact: Alondra Soto
Phone: 615-361-6608
Email: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
About Our Presentations and Trainings
NAMI Tennessee is committed to offering Presentations & Trainings to bring awareness and increase understanding of mental illness.
NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Training:
Volunteer as an In Our Own Voice Presenter. In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is presented by trained speakers who share their experiences living with a mental health condition. If you are interested in becoming an IOOV presenter Learn more.
NAMI Family and Friends Presentation:
NAMI Family & Friends is a free 90-minute seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them. It’s also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support. Learn more.
About Becoming a Certified Family Support Specialist
A Certified Family Support Specialist (CFSS) is a person who has self-identified as the caregiver of a child or youth with an emotional, behavioral or co-occurring disorder and who has successfully navigated the child-serving systems to access treatment and resources necessary to build resiliency and foster success in the home, school, and community. This individual has successfully completed training recognized by TDMHSAS on how to assist other caregivers in fostering resiliency in their child, based on the principles of resiliency and recovery. [Learn More]
Certified Family Support Specialist Competency Training
Ready to take your next step as a Parent Advocate? Sign up for the Professional Competencies Training required for certification as a Family Support Specialist. FSS Professional Competencies Training for Certification© is presented by Tennessee Voices for Children and NAMI Tennessee.The training course is $500 per person, to be paid by cash, check, or money order before the course begins. Agency or area-specific trainings can be arranged for groups of 8 or more. Scholarships may be available. For more information & to register, contact Kathy Rogers, Family Support Specialist Recruitment & Training Director at: (615) 269-7751 or
Pre-requisite trainings: NAMI Family Education Courses or TVC’s Parent-2-Parent Course. For more information on the certification process, contact the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services at: (615) 532-6500
About Becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is a person who has lived experience of a mental illness, substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder, who has made the journey from illness to wellness, and who now wishes to help others with their journey. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists can draw from their own journey of recovery to inspire hope and provide support to others who are facing similar situations. When two peers work on recovery together, they can progress further than if they go it alone. [Learn more]
