Mental illness is a serious health condition that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. While the exact causes of mental illness are still not fully understood, it is clear that it is a complex condition that can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. However, the most important thing to remember is that mental illness is treatable. 

Clubhouses can help people managing mental illness to live full and productive lives. With help from a supportive and structured environment, people experiencing serious mental illnesses can cope with their symptoms and become part of a productive society. Mountain View Health Services believes that Anchorage should have a clubhouse to support people with mental illness.

What is a Clubhouse? How it helps people with mental illness

Clubhouses provide a safe, supportive space for those with mental illness to connect with others who understand what they’re going through. It provides community support that is essential for recovery.

Mental illness can be incredibly isolating. Clubhouse offers a variety of services, including an opportunity for productive and meaningful work, rehabilitation services, vocational training, and social and recreational activities. Clubhouses work to help members improve their skills and increase their sense of belonging. Clubhouses are an important part of the mental health care system, and they have been shown to reduce psychiatric symptoms, improve quality of life, and promote recovery.

Clubhouse members participate in all aspects of running the organization, from cooking and cleaning to accounting and administration. This gives them a sense of purpose and belonging, and helps to build self-confidence and life skills. The Clubhouse also provides opportunities for members to socialize and make friends, which can reduce isolation and promote wellbeing. Ultimately, the goals of the clubhouse are to empower members to take control of their lives and realize their potential.

Understanding the Role of Clubhouses in Community

Clubhouses can provide an important sense of community for people who are struggling with mental illness. It is proven to reduce hospitalization rates, improve employment outcomes, and promote recovery from mental illness. By promoting social and recreational activities, clubhouses provide a safe and welcoming environment for members to interact and connect with others. Through these programs, clubhouses provide valuable support that helps individuals live fulfilling and productive lives. 

How Clubhouses help their members:

• Safe Space, Sense of Home – Clubhouses provide a safe space for people where they can feel welcome and accepted, without judgment or fear. Clubhouses offer a sense of belonging and connection, and they remind us that we are not alone.
• A Place to Progress – Clubhouses provide a much-needed sense of community and belonging that can be a place to make friends, learn new skills, and find support.
• Giving and Receiving Support –  Clubhouses hire professional staff that are thoughtful about what kind of support they are offering for each individual and create stronger and more supportive relationships with everyone.
• Feeling Loved and Valued – Clubhouse members feel hopeful because they know that there is always someone there to support them through thick and thin.
• A Sense of Family – Clubhouses provide a sense of community for those who may not have close family support.
• Developing Independence through Structured Supports –Clubhouses help people develop the skills and supports needed to live independently, based on the belief that everyone has strengths and abilities that can be used to contribute to their own recovery.
• Pursuing Dreams and Opportunities – Clubhouses provide resources, training, and support to help people with serious mental illness reach their full potential. They focus on rehabilitation, job skills, and personal growth. Clubhouses offer guidance to help people navigate the challenges of life. A clubhouse is committed to helping people with mental illness succeed in whatever they choose to do.
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For these reasons, mental health clubhouses can play a vital role in the lives of those living with mental illness.

Who can benefit from clubhouse membership and what are the eligibility requirements?

Clubhouse membership is open to anyone who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, including conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. There are no eligibility requirements, all clubhouses welcome individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life, and no cost to join. In addition, clubhouses can provide vital support during times of crisis. For many people with mental illness, the clubhouse can be a lifeline. 

What are some of the challenges?

Clubhouse staff members are trained in mental health and help members access resources and find purpose in their lives. The clubhouse model has been successful in helping people with mental illness live fulfilling lives, but there are challenges that come with running a clubhouse that must be overcome. One challenge is funding. Clubhouses rely on government and private grants, as well as donations, to keep their doors open. Another challenge is stigma. Although clubhouses are gaining acceptance, there are still many people who don’t understand mental illness and view clubhouses with suspicion. Lastly, clubhouses are challenged to hired highly trained and committed staff. Staff members need to be highly professional and have a strong sense of purpose because they witness firsthand the effects of mental illness on members’ lives, and this can be emotionally draining. Despite these challenges, clubhouses provide an essential service to their members and communities. and many staff and members find them to be invaluable resources in their journey towards recovery.

Conclusion: 

Clubhouses are a proven way to provide a sense of community, a chance for rehabilitation, and a sense of purpose for people recovering from mental health conditions. They offer social activities, job opportunities, and other resources that can be helpful in managing mental illness. 

Mountain View Health Services is learning about how a clubhouse might be something our community needs. We are asking people for help with our research. So far we have contacted the following organizations and they have been very helpful: Clubhouse International and  Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

If you would like to learn more about our vision for a  Clubhouse in Anchorage, please call us or stop by the office.