Mental Health Advocacy
We lead advocacy efforts to expand the Clubhouse Model worldwide by building public support and partnerships. Together with member Clubhouses and Coalitions, we advance mental health advocacy, support research, encourage fundraising, and advocate for increased public investment in mental health recovery.
Government, Organization & Agency Support
- We help Clubhouses address “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) concerns by testifying at Planning Commission hearings. Our advocacy highlights the proven value Clubhouses bring to communities while addressing common misconceptions with data and real-world outcomes. Research consistently shows no evidence that Clubhouses increase crime or reduce nearby property values.
- We work with global organizations like WHO (World Health Organization) and World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to mobilize efforts in support of mental health and to raise awareness for community-based solutions such as the Clubhouse Model.
- We support Clubhouse Coalition efforts with vocational rehabilitation contracts & VA (Veteran Affairs) partnerships.
- We push for expansion of federal work incentives for Clubhouse members on disability pensions who want to return to the workforce.
- We encourage Clubhouses to partner with other local community resources such as Rotary Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, and other civic groups.
Events & Webinars
Every two years, Clubhouse International hosts the USA Clubhouse Conference. The last Conference was held in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2023, where we welcomed 425 participants from 127 Clubhouses in 32 states and 3 countries, including a large group from Japan. The conference featured many good educational presentations, and great engagement with member Clubhouses. The conference was followed by a two-day Accreditation Faculty meeting with 70 members of the faculty participating.
Clubhouse International Executive Director & CEO Joel Corcoran and David Malatesta (Fontenehuset Drammen, Norway) were invited as leaders in the mental health field to present at the
Global Community Mental Health Summit 2024 in Portugal that was hosted by our partner Boehringer Ingelheim.
Joel Corcoran, ED & CEO, Clubhouse International and Sarah Flanagan, Mosaic Clubhouse, London, presented at the National Recovery Summit in Barcelos, Portugal. Joel and Sarah provided a
Master Class on the Clubhouse Model to advocates, students and mental health professionals from around the country. The Recovery Summit was held in coordination with the World Federation for
Mental Heath’s first award of the distinction of a Mental Health Capital City to Barcelos for their current commitment to a mental health action plan and commitments of substantial new
resources for community based services.
Since 2020, Clubhouse International and Fountain House have presented a webinar series on relevant topics for the worldwide Clubhouse community.
The Clubhouse International World Seminar aims to showcase the remarkable efforts of our Clubhouse network and provide a platform to strengthen our collective impact. It is the largest gathering of our community, bringing together Clubhouse members, staff, mental health advocates and stakeholders. This event is designed to be the most inclusive global mental health training of its kind! In 2025, we had 650 attendees from 16 countries, 32 U.S. states, nearly 170 Clubhouses, and several global mental health organizations.
Clubhouse International participates in the annual National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) U.S. National Convention, connecting with thousands of family members, advocates, and community leaders to raise awareness of the Clubhouse Model and inspire new Clubhouse development. For example, at the convention in Colorado, Clubhouse International joined colleagues from Spirit Crossing Clubhouse and Frontier House to host an information booth and connect with more than 1,500 participants interested in bringing a Clubhouse to their communities.
On behalf of the Clubhouse network, we were honored to participate in this symposium, joining leaders from fellow Hilton Prize Laureate organizations. Our Director of Communications, Anna Rountree, was also selected to represent our organization alongside four fellow Hilton Prize Laureate leaders. Together they helped develop the inaugural Hilton Leadership Institute Summit.
Clubhouse International participates in US Hill Day most years, joining the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and more than 20 leading advocacy organizations to amplify the voice of the mental health community. This advocacy event gives Clubhouses and advocates an important opportunity to raise awareness of critical mental health and substance use care issues and call for policies that expand access to essential services and supports.
Clubhouse International staff regularly present at regional Clubhouse Conferences to share information and successful practices about the Clubhouse Model and Clubhouse network and strengthen the collective Clubhouse movement.
Campaigns
World Mental Health Day
Each year, Clubhouse International collaborates with the World Federation of Mental Health to advance global and community solutions for addressing mental illness by raising awareness, reducing stigma, empowering communities, encouraging greater investment from key stakeholders, and celebrating achievements. Join us this year for our campaign focused on why BelongingWorks!
U.S. Clubhouse Week of Action
In 2026, our 4th annual U.S. Clubhouse Week of Action brought together 40 Clubhouses across the U.S. to increase visibility and understanding of the Clubhouse Model. Clubhouses across the U.S. opened their doors to elected officials, community leaders, and members of the media. These events offered a firsthand look at the life-changing impact of psychosocial rehabilitation and highlighted the urgent need for supportive policies and sustainable funding.
Media
Clubhouse International CEO on Podcast
Our Executive Director and CEO, Joel D. Corcoran, joined Tony Mantor's podcast "Why Not Me," to talk about the power and impact of the Clubhouse movement. From our roots to our global reach, Joel shares what makes Clubhouse communities life-changing for people living with mental illness.
PBS Healthy Minds Broadcast
PBS' Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein features Clubhouse International CEO Joel D. Corcoran, discussing Clubhouse International's mission to provide recovery opportunities for people
living with mental illness.
Advocacy Tools
New Clubhouse Research Supports Advocacy
Transforming Lives: Clubhouse Impact Report, summarizing the most compelling research on the Clubhouse Model, is now available! This visual report integrates findings from 15 rigorous, peer-reviewed studies conducted between 1999 and 2021 into an integrated theory of change, shown in the image above created by Dr. Joy Agner and her team at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, USA. Click below to learn how to download and customize this invaluable advocacy tool!
New Research Shows Clubhouses Reduce Psychiatric Readmission Risk
A new study done by the Detroit Wayne Health Network (Michigan, USA), powerfully demonstrates that Clubhouses provide individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) the resources and support
to adequately address their needs and help reduce psychiatric recidivism. This study is unique in that it is focused on the direct impact of Clubhouse participation on clinical outcomes,
particularly in reducing psychiatric readmission rates.
Click here to read the full study.
Partnerships with Universities
In 2024, we announced a new resource and website to help Clubhouses identify and strengthen connections with local universities. Clubhouse International is partnering with Active Minds (Notre Dame Chapter), to help local Clubhouses in the U.S. connect with Active Minds chapters. This campus-based collaboration will advance understanding of mental illness and enhance community connections.
Funding Support
Grants & Government Funding
Clubhouse International helps Clubhouses seek funding from various sources. We write letters of support for grant applications and other funding requests Clubhouses may be submitting. We also help Clubhouses advocate for state, regional or provincial funding support with government officials which includes Medicaid funding for Clubhouses located in the USA.
Fundraising
30th Anniversary Campaign for Growth
A $13 million campaign to strengthen and grow Clubhouses in the US and worldwide was launched in 2024. To achieve our vision, we must make strategic investments in our organizational capacity and engage larger numbers of people and communities, in a variety of different ways.
Clubhouse Giving Day
Clubhouse Giving Day is an annual campaign that mobilizes the Clubhouse community globally to celebrate the impact of the Clubhouse Model. The individual donations, community fundraisers, and widespread social media engagement made possible during this day are essential in sustaining and extending the reach of Clubhouses worldwide. Every dollar raised contributes to expanding access, supporting new Clubhouse development, and changing lives by providing opportunities for employment, education, and friendship to those usually left behind.
See the Model in Action
Clubhouses are a powerful demonstration that people with mental illness can and do lead productive, fulfilling lives.