quick contacts

Questions about NCCOP? Want to help? Contact nccop@namigc.org.

For more information, referrals, support, and education about serious mental illness, call NAMI of Greater Chicago at (312) 563-0445, or visit the NAMI of Greater Chicago website, namigc.org.

Peer Corps

Active Listening Skills Workshops

NAMI of Greater Chicago has developed a training module on interactive and creative active listening skills based on training successfully used in the peer-counselor training on the Harvard campus for more than 30 years. Active listening techniques can enhance interviewing skills and facilitate productive dialogue. NAMI of Greater Chicago has provided Active Listening Skills Workshops for many groups, including college students and staff, consumers of mental health services and family members, and mental health professionals.

Learn How to…

  • Listen non-directively, non-judgmentally, and actively
  • Engage people from every background— listen to anyone
  • Listen to others individually, in groups, or over the phone
  • Create a safe atmosphere where peers feel comfortable sharing information
  • Read and effectively use body language, silences, eye contact, and other forms of non-verbal communication
  • Gather important information in subtle, non-invasive, non-threatening ways
  • Better reflect emotions and concepts to your listener
  • Conduct a suicide risk assessment while listening empathetically
  • Check-in with yourself and set clear boundaries

Depending on the needs of the students or school professionals, this workshop can run from 2-8 hours and feature special suicide risk assessment training, as well.

Workshops can be scheduled from 2 to 8 hours in length depending on the learning needs of the participants. In-depth suicide risk-assessment training is also available.

To schedule a workshop or for more information, contact NAMI of Greater Chicago: (312) 563-0445 or info@namigc.org

Peer Corps

NAMI of Greater Chicago has designed Peer Corps as a student-run, student-led peer counseling program interacting with campus mental health professionals and administrators to create a safer, healthier, more informed, and supportive campus environment. Peer Corps is based on the successful 30+ year peer counseling model operating on Harvard University’s campus (Room 13). Peer Corps’ peer counseling groups tap into students’ enthusiasm for working together with campus officials and community resources to enhance the well-being of their fellow students.

Establishing the Peer Corps model of peer-counseling on a specific campus requires sufficient student interest, campus administrative approval and ongoing commitment, and funding to underwrite NAMI of Greater Chicago’s training and consultation on the Peer Corps model. NAMI of Greater Chicago is willing to work with campuses to explore the potential for creating Peer Corps counseling programs on individual campuses.

NAMI of Greater Chicago’s Peer Corps program is implemented using peer-led informational presentations, campus expert speakers, and ample opportunity for practice and feedback. The Peer Corps model teaches non-judgmental, non-directive active listening and referral skills to motivated students. The Peer Corps model also screens and selects student volunteers for participation and requires that all students chosen to participate complete the comprehensive 40-hour training designed by NAMI of Greater Chicago.

As the Peer Corp program is implemented on a specific campus, NAMI of Greater Chicago will provide guidance on creating an ongoing, self-sustaining, self-perpetuating education and training program for a given campus to carry the program forward into the future.

Students and campus representatives may contact NAMI of Greater Chicago to set up an evaluation to determine if their campus is an appropriate fit for the Peer Corps model.

For more information on Peer Corps, contact NAMI of Greater Chicago: (312) 563-0445 or info@namigc.org