Join us, the National Council and our partners for this can’t-miss learning experience. Register today.
We are proud to partner with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and more than 20 leading advocacy organizations for Hill Day at Home, the biggest virtual advocacy event of the year.
Held on October 19, Hill Day at Home is our chance to raise awareness about critical mental health and substance use care issues, while enabling others to maximize their impact through advocacy.
Last year, more than 2,000 people from all 50 states attended Hill Day at Home, resulting in 5,273 advocacy actions being taken and 416 members of Congress reached.
Don’t miss your chance to make a mark on a national (US) scale! Register today to learn from policy leaders, connect with peers, raise your voice and catch up on US Capitol Hill news. We will:
Address the most pressing questions facing our field in the wake of COVID-19.
Host advocacy experts to discuss the latest legislation developments and trends.
Offer a sneak peek inside the Biden-Harris Administration and its mental health agenda.
Explore strategies for bolstering our workforce, increasing access to treatment and more!
World Seminar 2021 Welcomes Over 1,300 Participants
This year’s virtual Seminar was held on October 4-8, and attracted over 1,300 participants from 27 countries, 35 U.S. states, and nearly 200 Clubhouses, in addition to several global mental health organizations and stakeholders. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Registrants will have access to the Seminar video for 90 days after the event. Click here to sign in to your Whova account. At the home page click on agenda and select day and session for a recording. There are also a number of videos in the video gallery (in the resources section), including some with subtitles in other languages.
Dr. Ingrid Daniels, President, World Federation for Mental Health, opened the proceedings.
Two Clubhouses from Argentina, Casa del Paraná, Rosario and Baires Casaclub, Buenos Aires, also participated in the Seminar opening.
We are pleased to announce special guest: Dr. Ingrid Daniels, President of the World Federation for Mental Health & CEO Cape Mental Health, Cape Town, South Africa. Don’t miss it! Dr. Daniels will share her perspective on the changing global mental health landscape regarding needs, opportunities and concerns; and the Clubhouse Model as an important component of mental health service systems worldwide.
Dr. Daniels is the Chief Executive Officer of Cape Mental Health, the auspice agency of the two Clubhouses in South Africa. Among other accolades, Dr. Daniels was the recipient of the prestigious SA Federation for Mental Health National Award in 2012 for the Outstanding Individual in Mental Health, for her leadership. She serves on the South Africa’s National Mental Health Advisory Committee, as a board member of the South African Federation for Mental Health, and on the Rural Mental Health Campaign Committee. Dr. Daniels also served on the Community Advisory Committee for research on the Genomics of Schizophrenia in the Xhosa population at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town. Dr. Daniels is committed to addressing global mental health challenges particularly in South Africa and in LMIC’s. She is a tremendous advocate for people living with mental illness and for ensuring that the voice of lived experience is at the forefront of conversations and action around mental health. Dr. Daniels is unwavering in her commitment to encouraging greater investment in mental health services and to devising innovative, community-and-recovery-oriented solutions to ensure that people everywhere have access to proper mental health care.
NEW THIS YEAR! We’re excited to introduce a series of unique, participatory forums to explore topics including:
Decision-Making in the Clubhouse
What is a Work-Ordered Day?
The Clubhouse Standards
How to create a vibrant, collegial, welcoming Clubhouse culture
Attracting, Welcoming, Engaging New Clubhouse Members
Employment: Why having a job matters so much to members, and how Clubhouses can best support that goal
The Post-Pandemic Clubhouse: Rebooting your Work-Ordered Day
Clubhouse Boards and Advisory Boards
Making the case for your Clubhouse
The Dimensions of Wellness, the Clubhouse Way
The Clubhouse Education Function
The Clubhouse Recovery Journey
Why have a Clubhouse in our community? The perspective of a community’s mental health administrator
Clubhouse: our place in the fast changing global perspective on mental health
Schedule Overview
Monday, October 4: Opening Session
Tuesday, October 5: Forums
Wednesday, October 6: Forums
Thursday, October 7: Forums
Friday, October 8: Closing Session
Community Investment Increases Vaccination Rates for People with SMI
A new report published by the Treatment Advocacy Center and Clubhouse International identifies key barriers to, and facilitators of, COVID-19 vaccination among people with severe mental illness through an international survey of more than 100 Clubhouses. Shown here: Journey House Utah Covid Vaccination Clinic! Click here to view the full report.
Today’s Press Release:
New International Survey Shows Concerted Community Investment Increases Vaccination Rates for People with Severe Mental Illness
Report finds multiple barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, beyond hesitancy, among this vulnerable population
ARLINGTON, Va. – A new survey finds that while people living with severe mental illness face significant barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, targeted outreach and engagement in community settings leads to significantly higher vaccination rates and increased safety for this population. People with severe mental illness have a high risk of death from COVID-19 and the results of the research shows that community investment led to higher estimated rates of vaccination compared to the general public.
The survey found that barriers participants experienced went beyond vaccine hesitancy and included limited access to preventive health services and an overall lack of resources to access vaccines, such as not being able to register for an appointment or travel to a vaccine clinic. While concerns about safety and side effects of the vaccine are the top two reasons why people with serious mental illness may not get the vaccine, the study also found that the sharing of experiences among peers is one of the most effective tools in changing minds around vaccination.
Overall, estimated vaccination rates of U.S.-based Clubhouse members are, on average, significantly higher than that of the U.S. population. Of the 105 U.S.-based Clubhouses that participated in the survey, 64 had a higher rate of vaccination than their surrounding county and 24 had the same rate of vaccine uptake as their county.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the world, the successful efforts of Clubhouses to facilitate vaccination should be seen as an example of the benefits that targeted outreach and support programs can have for people living with serious mental illness,” said Elizabeth Sinclair Hancq, director of research for Treatment Advocacy Center. “These individuals are at higher risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19 and deserve to be prioritized. A successful COVID-19 vaccination effort must prioritize people with serious mental illness, make the vaccines accessible and conduct outreach to this population to increase the number of individuals willing to take the vaccine.”
The survey’s findings indicate that community investment in and peer-to-peer engagement with people with serious mental illness can have a tremendous impact on their health and well-being. Hosting physician-led workshops to share the medical facts of the vaccine and encouraging discussions among community members who were vaccinated and those who were not were key ways to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
The creation of vaccination clinics where people with severe mental illness are living was also a successful method to increase vaccination rates among members, further supporting public health experts’ recommendations that trusted community providers’ development of vaccination sites maximizes COVID-19 vaccination among vulnerable populations.
“The results of this important project demonstrate once again the powerful health benefits of belonging to a community in which inclusion and meaningful relationships are the priority,” said Joel Corcoran, executive director and CEO of Clubhouse International. “Clubhouses across the world prioritize wellness and healthy lifestyles as part of a holistic approach to addressing the social and economic isolation so often associated with serious mental illness. It is clear that Clubhouse communities have been effective in assisting their members to get vaccinated during this life threatening pandemic.”
Treatment Advocacy Center continues to push for proper resources and support for people with serious mental illness to ensure that they are no longer ignored, in times of global health crises or otherwise. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, especially with the emergence of new variants, organizations that follow this community investment model are critical to protect individuals with severe mental illness.
“Research tells us that those with severe mental illness are at among the highest risk for death from COVID-19. Our survey shows that even a small amount of effort to promote life-saving vaccination has a tremendous impact on getting people protected. This achievement reminds us that assumptions that those with severe mental illness cannot be helped are simply wrong,” said Lisa Dailey, executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center.
The full survey report can be found here. To connect with Treatment Advocacy Center’s subject matter experts in severe mental illness policy or research, please contact: Alexa Lamanna, alamanna@westendstrategy.com, 202-320-2766. To learn more about Clubhouse International or to connect with Joel Corcoran, please contact Anna Sackett Rountree, asackett@clubhouse-intl.org, 212-582-0343 ext. 107.
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The Treatment Advocacy Center is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illness by promoting laws, policies and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supporting the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Clubhouse International is a global nonprofit organization working to end social and economic isolation for people with mental illness, through its network of 326 Clubhouses in 31 countries, accessed by approximately 100,000 people each year. Clubhouses offer resources and opportunities for recovery through employment, education, friendship, wellness and social programs.
Clubhouse International provides New Clubhouse Development training and coordinates a system for ongoing Clubhouse trainings and quality assurance with a formal accreditation program based on The International Standards for Clubhouse Programs™. Additionally, we join advocacy initiatives focused on ending discrimination and addressing inadequate funding for mental healthcare around the world.
First VIRTUAL New Clubhouse Development Training Held!
Clubhouse International conducted its first virtual New Clubhouse Development Training on July 12, 13 and 15 with ten groups participating. The training is intended to help Startup groups learn the essential infrastructure components in order to start and sustain a Clubhouse in their communities. The training had 55 participants from Ghana, West Africa, Kenya, East Africa, Delaware, Pennsylvania, California, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey and Florida.
Comments from the training participants included, “It was a phenomenal experience, and I can’t overemphasize how engaging Clubhouse International made this training by presenting hugely helpful content and using a variety of collaborative learning devices, including the break outs with our teams and the virtual live Clubhouse tour from Fort Wayne, Indiana! I was extremely satisfied and would highly recommend it.” – Delaware participant.
Pictured above: Nadine Nakamura, House of Representatives, Hawaii, USA.
We would like to thank the Carriage House in Indiana as well as all of our trainers for helping us to carry out this training. We hope to welcome new Clubhouses from these areas in the future! Clubhouse International has now trained 109 new start-up groups from across the globe with approximately 80% of them successfully starting new Clubhouses!
Click here for more information on New Clubhouse Development Training.
World Health Organization Includes Clubhouse Model in New Guidance on Mental Health Services
Clubhouse International Training Center, Phoenix Clubhouse in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, is identified as an example of community-based mental health services that are following good practices which provide quality care and support and are aligned with international standards for a rights-based approach to recovery.
The purpose of the WHO guidance is to provide information, direction and examples to stakeholders and governments to develop or transform their mental health system and services with the ultimate aim of promoting, inspiring and scaling-up person-centered, recovery-oriented and rights-based, community services around the world. The WHO guidance calls on governments to substantially increase the budget for mental health within health and social protection sectors, and to promote services that interface with social programming and supports and the accountability mechanisms and processes to make that happen. This landmark guidance represents a critical milestone in supporting mental health reform efforts and is timely to ensure that we build back better in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Many people living with a mental health condition still lack access to quality services that respond to their needs and respect their rights and dignity. Community-based services, such as ones cited in the WHO guidance and technical packages including the Clubhouse Model, address many of these challenges by providing resources and opportunities of recovery such as gainful employment, education, wellness, socialization and so much more.
“Phoenix Clubhouse is a strong example of a comprehensive, community-based, person-centered mental health service that operates without coercion, is responsive to people’s needs and supports recovery for people with lived experience of a mental illness. The Clubhouse demonstrates the importance of the linkages with education, employment and social protection sectors, ensuring that people with mental health conditions are included in the community and are able to lead full and meaningful lives. The WHO’s inclusion of Phoenix Clubhouse and the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation in its landmark guidance is an important validation for the 326 Clubhouse programs in our network around the world. We believe this guidance will be transformative for all countries seeking to make progress with community mental health services.” Joel D. Corcoran, Executive Director & CEO, Clubhouse International.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Clubhouse International is celebrating some of the many Clubhouse victories throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for more Clubhouse Victory stories! Visit our Mental Health Awareness web page to learn more!
Click on the links below to jump quickly to each Clubhouse Victories story:
Victory Story #1: Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, Pittsburgh PA, USA
Victory Story #1: Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA
“We are so proud of our colleagues who have stepped up to leadership roles despite the many challenges associated with social distancing and new technologies. We are also grateful to be a part of a community that is willing to educate itself, discuss, and recognize its role in social justice issues.”
“I like the garden (shown above right) at the Clubhouse because I like plants and flowers. I like taking care of them also and watching them grow.” – Clubhouse member, Laura Hodes
Victory Story #2: Magnolia Clubhouse, Cleveland Ohio, USA
Culinary Unit Members, Magnolia Clubhouse
“In over a year of contending with a worldwide pandemic, Magnolia Clubhouse, is proud to say our community thrived and developed new ways to stay connected. We continued to support over 100 people in employment and we continued to serve people in person at our Clinic. We also continued to have creative digital news shows, Zoom work, and creative digital cooking together. We established Clubhouse Ohio, our state Clubhouse coalition, and we are working with the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services on having more Clubhouse for more people who live with mental illness!”
Victory Story #3: Haabersti Klubimaja, Estonia
At the beginning, most members and staff of Haabersti Klubimaja in Estonia had to learn how to use Skype on their smartphones, but since then, they have had success running their Clubhouse via Skype and Facebook.
Clubhouse Director, Mari, said ‘The sense of community is very strong and motivating.’ It helped as they found creative ways to continue to prepare lunch together, albeit virtually, and developed a reading club. They also started a Russian language training in collaboration with Russia House, established a Young Adult program, and have a flourishing garden. The Clubhouse reach out program has been effective in connecting with all members on a regular basis. Overall, the Clubhouse has seen an uptick in attendance and in unit meetings (conducted in Estonian and in Russian).
Clubhouse member, Toomas, who lives with his elderly mother has had to be extra careful. He has continued to study English and participate in meetings, newsletter editorial and social activities all from his home. Luckily, he is working as a janitor at his own apartment building so he can continue to carry out his duties.
Throughout this difficult time, members and staff have remained connected and they believe that the challenges have only made them a stronger and smarter Clubhouse community.
Victory Story #4: Circle City Clubhouse, Indiana, USA
“I am most proud of how our Clubhouse just kept moving forward and everyone worked together to keep us connected” remarked Clubhouse member, Chuck who is pictured here during the Circle City Clubhouse’s six-year anniversary celebration!
“We are proud of the fact we just kept going in the midst of a global pandemic. We have been able to make progress on our building renovations, which included taking up carpet and painting walls. As a community we’ve been able to stay connected by doing work-ordered day tasks and activities via Zoom and providing meals and goodie bags via mobile outreach and maintaining contact with our community.” Clubhouse Executive Director, Jay Brubaker
Victory Story #5: Alliance House, Utah, USA
“I met best friends and people I could look up to. I felt that I missed out during Covid because of how parts of the Clubhouse were shut down, but we made special effort to reach out by doing cards and phone calls”.
Trudy M. an Alliance House member pictured here at work in the Clubhouse.
Victory Story #6: Prelude Clubhouse, Plano, Texas, USA
Congratulations to Prelude Clubhouse, TX, USA! It’s a new Clubhouse that just received its first Clubhouse International Accreditation!
The Prelude community has many reasons to celebrate despite the challenges of COVID-19. Two employed members received promotions at their Supported and Independent Employment positions and the Clubhouse secured two additional Transitional Employment placements. With vaccinations now available, the Clubhouse is scheduling appointments and providing transportation so that all members can be vaccinated, and they have safely enjoyed a couple of social events, including roller-skating.
Congrats to the Prelude community. You are a shining example of perseverance and dedication to helping people living with mental illness on their path to recovery.
Victory Story #7: Capital Clubhouse, Washington, D.C., USA
“We are proud of the fact that we are still meeting and the pandemic didn’t change that. We have been able to expand membership and operation hours even during the pandemic (40% higher daily attendance and 100% increase in operation hours from February 2020 to February 2021).” Clubhouse Director, Maria Nuñez
“I am thankful to Clubhouse for helping me dismantle my mental illness. For all the people who want to join Clubhouse – it does work.” – Stanley
Pictured here is Clubhouse member, Julian, learning how to use his loaner tablet to join Clubhouse! On the screen is a Capital Clubhouse meeting in action.
Victory Story #8: Potential Place, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Potential Place is proud of how we were able to step up and support members during COVID. We have been able to provide food hampers and essential services to members throughout the pandemic, and we were able to quickly transition to virtual services and provide consistent remote support. Potential Place is now a new and exciting hybrid Clubhouse, with both in-person and virtual programming to make things as easily accessible and safe for our members as possible.
“I’m proud to be a part of an organization that has accepted me, supported me & encouraged me to come out every day. Staff have been dedicated and go above and beyond.” – Michael H.
“Potential Place has maintained a welcoming & loving atmosphere, despite the challenges of COVID and has been able to stay open to members since June 2020.” – Jessica W.
Victory Story #9: B’More Clubhouse, Maryland, USA
At B’More Clubhouse, MD, USA we’re most proud of the creative ways we have stayed connected. We developed a virtual work-ordered day that parallels our in-building operation through daily meetings, menu planning, mindfulness, reachout etc. We also sent art to supplies to members, organized food delivery and did reachout visits, all to make sure we were able to maintain some sort of structure, and we’re proud to say we have been successful! We are now operating with a hybrid model and in our brand new building!
Pictured here are members, Jeanae, Dee, Greg, Tavone, Abraham, Ben and staff in their new building.
Here’s what they have to say about Clubhouse: Greg T.: “The atmosphere is very positive, the staff go out of their way to help you. We all help each other and the staff is very unselfish.”
Tavone l: “You can develop friendship with staff and members.”
Abraham M.: “B’More Clubhouse helped me get enrolled in Baltimore City Community College and also helped me get a new cellphone. You can develop friendship with members and staff.”
Jeanae: “The Clubhouse is family oriented. We work as a team. We always find time to have fun.”
Ben: “I like the support system there and the fact that I am able to use what I know to help with Clubhouse work. I show up with my laptop, ready to help every day. Just today, I assisted another colleague in showing her how to connect an Android tablet to our video conference calls. When it comes down to the support system-My dad passed away and now they are assisting me in moving out of the apartment I shared with him to an apartment closer to the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse allows people to help and support each other.”
Victory Story #10: HERO HOUSE NW, Washington, USA which includes Seattle Clubhouse and Everett Clubhouses
Seattle Clubhouse: “As COVID approached we all pulled together as a community and created our virtual clubhouse program. It was a huge success! Members attended faithfully and came up with great suggestions for keeping the virtual clubhouse vibrant. . . . We were generally a constant presence for people in our community that they could depend on for any needs. While COVID devastated us all in very different ways, our community kept us hopeful and gave a place to turn to mitigate isolation.”
Quote from Everett Clubhouse member: “My words alone cannot express the value I find in the Clubhouse. I got tea on the first day I visited and I became a member that very day, and felt accepted by the staff; she was very supportive and did indeed help me to feel welcome. Never before have I been part of such a community. It is unique.”
Victory Story #11: Infinite Horizons Clubhouse Startup group, Connecticut, USA
“We are a group of eight dedicated people working to bring an accredited Clubhouse to an area in Connecticut least served by this model of mental health recovery. We are busy fundraising in order to hire an Executive Director, rent a place for Infinite Horizons Clubhouse and begin providing the trademark support emblematic of Clubhouse International. We are committed to this journey after observing the incredible growth and healing of a family member who was able to return to a life of employment, friends, independence and competence after becoming a Clubhouse member.” ~Board Chair, Francie Stier, pictured here with fellow Board members.
Victory Story #12: Yahara House, Wisconsin, USA
Even though we couldn’t get together in the Clubhouse during COVID, Yahara House colleagues were able to connect on zoom throughout the pandemic. House meetings, department meetings, committees, rec events and other Clubhouse work all went to zoom. While we are now beginning to open the house to a few members per department for scheduled shifts to maintain COVID guidelines, we are continuing to utilize zoom so that colleagues can still access Clubhouse from the safety of their homes.
We wanted to celebrate the end of winter and create an opportunity for colleagues to gather together in-person, outdoors. Colleagues worked together to create a catfish snow sculpture because Yahara means ‘catfish’. This was one of the first events of 2021 and it was great to be able to gather for the first time in person after many months apart. Many thanks to award winning snow sculptor, Jim Malkowski, for working with us! The snow sculpture was featured in the news media and was an exciting way to spread the word about Clubhouse!
“It feels great to be working in cafe again even though we can’t serve meals because of COVID we can still fill and deliver food boxes.” -Brent
“This is my second family. I feel grateful to have found Yahara House.” – Kathy J. Many thanks from Yahara House!
Victory Story #13: Academy at Glengary, Florida, USA
We at the Academy at Glengary are proud that our staff and members did not miss a beat when developing a hybrid program (onsite and virtual) during COVID. We are fortunate to be part of Clubhouse International, which guided us in adapting our services and helping members stay focused on their recovery.
“Thanks to the Academy at Glengary, my new adventure in life is my new job at Publix!” – Chantel pictured here at work
We are pleased to announce special guest: Dr. Ingrid Daniels, President of the World Federation for Mental Health & CEO Cape Mental Health, Cape Town, South Africa. Don’t miss it! Dr. Daniels will share her perspective on the changing global mental health landscape regarding needs, opportunities and concerns; and the Clubhouse Model as an important component of mental health service systems worldwide.
