Volunteer Opportunities From: Volunteer Center of Washington County

This is a lead support group co-facilitator role.  Groups typically meet one day per week for 1.25 hours or if in a school setting, one day a week for 50 minutes during the academic school year. Co-facilitators are responsible for ensuring group format follows NAMI Wisconsin training, ensuring group members understand the purpose and rules for the group, offering options and support to teens sharing within the group, and ensuring all enrollment forms and attendance sheets are turned in following the group session.

Facilitator Qualifications:

24 years or older, HS diploma required, some college helpful experience working with teens in some capacity is helpful good interpersonal skills, time management skills, and organizational skills maintains confidentiality, always using good judgement must pass background check

Commitment:

Must be able to commit to 1 year after training

 

Speaks to teens in school classrooms throughout Washington County as part of a national effort to help break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues by presenting the NAMI Ending the Silence program.

Requirements:  An adult who is living in recovery with a mental health condition or has a family member with a mental health condition. Individual can relate well to youth ages 13 – 18 and is comfortable speaking before groups of young people. Must have a relatively flexible schedule to be able to present during the school day.

Certification training: Must undergo formal interview process. Complete on-line training as well as in-person coaching & practice with ending the silence team. 

Commitment: Be available to perform AT LEAST one presentation per month for at least one school year. (Presentation schedules are coordinated to the speakers’ availability.)

Background check required.

 

Prospective facilitators must be family members (parents, siblings, adult children, spouses or partners) of individuals with mental illness. Must be a NAMI member. (Membership details disclosed upon interview) 

Certification training: Two-day weekend training sponsored by NAMI Wisconsin. Usually offered twice a year. Training, lodging, and meals are paid for by NAMI Wisconsin or NAMI Washington County. 

Commitment: Must be willing to facilitate at least one 90-minute group meeting per month for two years following certification.

Background check required.

Co-leads the NAMI Family-to-Family education course which is a free, 12-session educational program for family members, significant others, and friends of people living with mental health illness. The course is designed to facilitate a better understanding of mental health illness, increase coping skills, and empower participants to become advocates for their family members. It is a designated evidence-based program.

Requirements: Prospective teachers must be family members (parents, siblings, adult children, spouses or partners) of individuals with mental illness. Ideally will have taken the NAMI Family-to-Family course. Because the course requires considerable lecturing, must be a capable reader comfortable reading out loud.

Certification training: Three-day weekend training sponsored by NAMI Wisconsin. Offered twice a year. Training, lodging, and meals are paid for by affiliate and state organizations.

Commitment: Must be willing to teach at least two 12-week courses in the two to three years following certification.

Background check required.