Are you navigating the complexities of having a family member with mental health issues? Do you feel isolated and unsure where to turn? You are not alone, and we can help you find your Family Match for vital support.
Caring for a loved one experiencing mental health challenges can be an incredibly isolating and overwhelming journey. That’s why we offer a unique program designed to connect you with understanding and guidance through our Family Match initiative. We provide free, personalized, one-on-one support, connecting you with someone who truly understands – another family member who has walked a similar path. Through telephone-based mentorship, our three-month program carefully matches you with a mentor whose family member shares a similar relationship dynamic and diagnosis. Our experienced mentors have “been there” and are ready to offer compassionate emotional support, practical insights, and a listening ear as you navigate your own experience.
Over the course of three months, your dedicated mentor will connect with you via phone to:
- Offer heartfelt emotional support during challenging times.
- Listen empathetically to your unique story and experiences.
- Share valuable personal experiences and coping strategies.
- Brainstorm self-care ideas to help you prioritize your well-being.
- Provide guidance and resources for advocating effectively for your loved one within mental health systems.
Getting started on your path to finding your family match is simple. Just fill out the form below to begin your journey toward connection and support.
Hear From Others Who Found Their Family Match
We are proud that 97% of past participants have expressed satisfaction with their family match experience, with an impressive 86% reporting being very satisfied. These numbers speak volumes about the power of peer support and the effectiveness of our program.
Consider Karen’s experience as a parent in the program: “My mentor is awesome. When I needed the strength to get through the next 5 minutes, she would listen and say, ‘Yes, that sucks.’ She didn’t try to solve, or to minimize. She listened, and she talked about similar experiences, and how she got through them. There was nothing I could say that she hadn’t seen, done, or been through before…there was a lot of comfort in that.” Karen’s words beautifully illustrate the profound impact of connecting with someone who truly understands your journey through family match.
Become a Family Match Mentor: Share Your Experience and Make a Difference
Are you a parent, sibling, partner, or adult child of someone living with a mental illness? If you have navigated the complexities of supporting a loved one with mental health challenges, you possess valuable lived experience that can be incredibly beneficial to others. Become a Family Match Mentor and use your journey to provide strength and hope to another family member who is just beginning theirs.
As a Family Match Mentor, you will provide crucial one-to-one support over the phone for a period of 3 months. We carefully pair you with a mentee who is in a similar relationship dynamic and is loving someone experiencing comparable symptoms or diagnoses. This thoughtful family match ensures a foundation of shared understanding and empathy from the outset.
Through your inherent understanding, coupled with active listening training provided by us, you will empower other family members to:
- Experience less loneliness and cultivate greater hope for the future.
- Gain a deeper understanding of valuable resources available at NAMI-NYC and within the wider mental health landscape.
- Develop realistic expectations and foster healthier relationships with their loved ones.
- Prioritize their own essential health and well-being amidst the challenges.
This rewarding mentor role is exclusively for family members who have direct personal experience supporting someone living with a mental health condition.
What are the key qualities of successful Family Match Mentors? They typically:
- Deeply value the power of support and are committed to continuous self-education in mental health.
- Genuinely enjoy connecting with diverse individuals and building supportive relationships.
- Possess the ability to balance open sharing with the importance of personal privacy.
- Are strong communicators and demonstrate excellent organizational skills.
- Bonus: Fluency in Spanish is a valuable asset, enabling us to broaden our reach and impact.
By drawing upon your own journey of loving and supporting someone through mental health challenges, you can offer empathy and understanding in the most meaningful way – because you truly “get it.” If becoming a Family Match Mentor resonates with you and you are ready to share your strength, we encourage you to please submit this application.
Para Español, Haga Click Aquí
