The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic and other severe and persistent mental illnesses that affect the brain.
The mission of NAMI Santa Clara County is to help people with a lived experience of mental illness and families by providing support, education and advocacy; to promote research; to reduce stigma and discrimination in the community; and to improve services by working with mental health professionals and families.
NAMI Santa Clara County offers a variety of courses, training, and support programs, including:
NAMI Basics. NAMI Basics is a free, 6-week education program for parents and family caregivers of children and teens whom are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or whom have already been diagnosed.
NAMI Provider Education. The NAMI Provider Education program helps people who work with individuals living with mental illness understand the experience of mental illness from individual and family perspectives. Through exposure to personal stories, participants may gain tools that increase their empathy and professional skills thereby improving patient care. Download the NAMI Provider Education Brochure
Family-to-Family. An educational course for family, caregivers and friends of individuals living with mental illness. Also offered in Spanish. Download the Family-to-Family Brochure
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Peer-to-Peer. NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a recovery-focused educational program for adults who wish to establish and maintain wellness in response to mental health challenges. The course provides critical information and strategies related to living with mental illness. Also offered in Spanish. Download the Peer-to-Peer Brochure
NAMI PeerPals. This program, unique to NAMI Santa Clara County, matches Peer PALS, or mentors, with peer consumers who can use the support of someone who has “been there.” Because Peer Pals share the experience of mental illness in common with their peer, they are in a unique position to relate with and understand their peer’s experience. Download the PeerPals Program Brochure
NAMI Format Support Groups. NAMI Format Support Groups are led by NAMI-trained persons who have “lived” experience with mental illness, either as a peer in recovery, or as a family member of someone living with mental illness.Support groups are also available for Spanish speakers and for the Asian community.
NAMI Santa Clara County also produces a monthly Newsletter, and a Resource Guide that is updated as needed.
Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Clara County | https://namisantaclara.org | Last reviewed March 2026
