Education Opportunities
NAMI Dane County provides a number of public education opportunities that are at no cost to participants. If you have questions about our education programs, please contact Quinn Jiles.
support kitchen
DESCRIPTION: Support Kitchen is led by a Chef and Mental Health Advocate who has created a carefully curated and hands-on cooking class that leaves space for cooking and discussions about mental health and wellbeing. Participants will learn a new cooking technique, eat the meal that they prepared together, and share about mental health.
REGISTRATION: Follow the link below to complete a short registration and to choose which sessions you would like to attend.
COST: A suggested donation of $25 per class will help us cover the costs of food and space rental. Use the donation button above to donate to the classes. If you are not able to pay - please sign up. We want to make cooking classes accessible to all.
SCHEDULE
Fall Classes:
*Come early to join in the CMC Daily Free Meal from 4pm-5pm! To learn more about the work CMC does for the community, please click here.
Time: 6pm-8pm (Doors open at 5:30pm)
Location: Catholic Multicultural Center (1862 Beld St. Madison, WI 53713)
Dates/Themes:
September 23: Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Basil, or how to stay present in the moment
October 28: Squash, or a lesson that good things take time
November 18: Freezer pulls, or how I learned to invest in my future self
meet our cooking instructor
cookbook club
DESCRIPTION: Our Cookbook Club is open to all who want to gather to talk about food, talk about our book of the season, and mental health! We will feature a different cookbook every 3-months. In the 3rd month, we will have a gathering for discussion and food share where everybody brings a dish they enjoyed from the book.
REGISTRATION: Follow this link to complete a short registration and to choose which sessions you would like to attend.
SHOP LOCAL: Books are available at A Room of Ones Own and Arcadia Books
SCHEDULE
January - March Book: Heirloomed Kitchen by Ashley Schoenith Discussion/Food Share: Saturday, March 14 Time: 11am-1pm
Location: NAMI Dane County (25 Kessel Ct. Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711)
April - June Book: Pass the Plate by Caroline Gelen Discussion/Food Share: Saturday, June 20 Time: 11am-1pm
Location: NAMI Dane County (25 Kessel Ct. Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711)
July - September
Book: The World Central Kitchen Cookbook by Jose Andres
Discussion/Food Share: Saturday, September 12 Time: 11am-1pm Location: NAMI Dane County (25 Kessel Ct. Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711)
October - December
Book: Grist by Abra Beren
Discussion/Food Share: Saturday, December 12 Time: 11am-1pm Location: NAMI Dane County (25 Kessel Ct. Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711)
Gentle Roots Virtual Trauma-Informed Restorative yoga
DESCRIPTION: Trauma-informed restorative and yin yoga flows. We will begin with 30 minutes of a gentle flow followed by a reflection and conversation about the flow and check in about mental health.
TIME: 9am-10am
REGISTRATION: Register by clicking on the link here. After you register, you will receive the Zoom link in an email the Friday before yoga.
COST: FREE
Fall 2026 Classes:
September 12th, 19th, and 26th
October 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
November 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
Meet our yoga instructors
Michelle Vande Hey , Light of Love Coaching
Amber Burns , Creative Forces Therapy
Jamie Paustian , Creative Forces Therapy
Virtual Mental Health Workshop Series
DESCRIPTION: Mental Health Workshop Series to guide you through various aspects of your mental health and overall wellness.
TIME: Varies by topic
REGISTRATION: Register by clicking on the links below. After you register, you will receive the Zoom link.
COST: FREE
Future workshops will be announced soon!
Watch all previous workshops on our Youtube page.
family-to-family
Who is it for?
Family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions.
In the program, you will learn about:
How to manage crises, solve problems, and communicate effectively
Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
Developing the confidence and stamina to provide support with compassion
Finding and using local supports and services
Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
Current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects
The impact of mental illness on the entire family
Please complete the registration form below. Spots are limited and registration is first come first served. Please direct any inquiries to Quinn Jiles at quinn@namidanecounty.org.
IMPORTANT: The Q3 Family-to-Family class has been cancelled due to low enrollment. Please register for the Q4 class that begins on 10/13/26. This class will be held virtually.
If you are looking for immediate support in a group setting, there is a Family Support Group that meets virtually on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. You can learn more about this group and register to receive the Zoom link by clicking here.
If you are looking for one-on-one support, please reach out to our Peer Support team to schedule an appointment by contacting outreach@namidanecounty.org. You can learn more about Peer Support by clicking here.
peer-to-peer
Who is it for?
Adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. Learn more about the Peer-To-Peer program here.
In the program you will learn about:
Setting a vision and goals for the future
Partnering with health care providers
Developing confidence for making decisions
Practicing relaxation and stress reduction tools
Sharing your story
Strengthening relationships
Enhancing communication skills
Learning about mental health treatment options
IMPORTANT: The Q3 Peer-to-Peer class has been cancelled due to low enrollment. Please register for the Q4 class that begins on 10/14/26. This class will be held virtually.
If you are looking for immediate support in a group setting, there is a Virtual Adult Support Group that meets virtually on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. There is also an In-Person Adult Support Group held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Monday of the month. You can learn more about these groups by clicking here.
If you are looking for one-on-one support, please reach out to our Peer Support team to schedule an appointment by contacting outreach@namidanecounty.org. You can learn more about Peer Support by clicking here.
NAMI Basics On Demand
Program Overview:
This free, online program – available 24/7 – is designed to empower parents and caregivers of young people (ages 22 and younger) with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to navigate the challenges of youth mental health.
Who is it for?
Parents, caregivers, and other family members who support youth living with a mental health condition.
In the program, you will learn about:
The impact mental health conditions can have on your entire family
Different types of mental health care professionals, available treatment options and therapies
An overview of the public mental health care, school and juvenile justice systems, and resources to help you navigate these systems
How to advocate for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings
How to prepare for and respond to crisis situations (self-harm, suicide attempts, etc.)
The importance of taking care of yourself
After you register, you’ll begin a course that provides:
A flexible, self-paced program accessible anytime.
Guidance from other parents and caregivers who understand this journey.
Advice for how to talk with your child about their mental health.
Valuable insights into mental health conditions and treatments.
Comprehensive, easy to understand resources grounded in science.
Practical strategies for communication, crisis management, coping, and advocacy.