Author Archives: admin

Clubhouse International, a non-profit organization coordinating a global network of Clubhouse Communities for people living with mental illness, today opened the very first USA National Clubhouse Conference, which is being held on Nov. 12-14, 2014 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Over 260 participants from approximately 100 Clubhouses from across America are expected to attend the conference, which focuses on how to create a national voice for the Clubhouse model of recovery from mental illness. Click here for press release.

I am twenty two years old and I am in recovery from bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, an eating disorder and substance abuse. I wanted to talk about how my illnesses have plagued me with great isolation and how I recovered with the help of Crossroads Clubhouse.

As a child, my brother Sean and I were neglected and abused. We both began drinking at an early age. In 2009, Sean was killed in a drunk driving accident.

A year later, I began to experience my first manic episode. I was completely delusional. I immediately ended up in a psychiatric ward, where I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

My therapist referred me to Crossroads Clubhouse. Crossroads helped me develop my very first healthy relationships. The welcoming membership brought me out of my shell and supported my sobriety. The more I attended the Clubhouse, the less I felt the desire to isolate. Becoming involved with the Clubhouse movement gave me a new sense of purpose. They have helped me acquire a G.E.D. They found me a place to live when I was about to become homeless. They have helped me become employed through their Transitional Employment program, which led to me being hired as a permanent employee. I want to give to others what the Clubhouse has given to me. I have been given the opportunity to lead a life that I never imagined I could.

Without Crossroads Clubhouse, I wouldn’t have over two years of sobriety. I wouldn’t have relationships that will last a lifetime. I wouldn’t be happy. I wouldn’t be alive.

Today, there is a happiness inside of me that can’t be taken away. I feel like Sean would be proud.

Because of the Clubhouse, my life has changed in many positive ways.  If it weren’t for the Clubhouse, I don’t know what I’d be doing with my time.  My Clubhouse has helped me lead a meaningful and productive life. I don’t struggle with anxiety and depression and I have gained more confidence.  The Clubhouse has also been an outlet for practicing kindness and compassion with others. As far as my hopes and dreams go, I am certain I would like to return to monastic life.  But in the meantime, I have my friends at the Clubhouse for support; and I am able to give back to others through my involvement at the Clubhouse.

I turned to drugs and alcohol at a young age after being assaulted by a child predator. I felt as though this was my only escape. I was diagnosed later with schizophrenia and have been living with the illness for many years.

Before Venture House I felt like I was alone. My life was characterized by isolation, substance abuse and hospitalization. But at Venture House I am a part of a community and have many things in common with my fellow members. Since I joined Venture House I feel more in control of my disability. I take medications daily and along with other supports in my life I am able to keep my mental illness in check. Since joining Venture House I have not been in the hospital and I have remained clean and sober.

When I come to Venture House and interact with staff and members I feel good about myself. When I first joined Venture House I had no idea what to expect. I was surprised when all of the members greeted and welcomed me. It felt like I belonged and it felt great!

Venture House has helped me return to the workforce. After participating in the Clubhouse work day for a couple of years, I got a Transitional Employment job, which was the first time I worked in 15 years. Venture House gave me a chance when others would not. Today I am proud to say that I am employed by New York State and am presently in line for a promotion.

Many of the members of Venture House have become good friends of mine. If I can help them with their disabilities I will, because my goal is to give back to society instead of always taking.

Although I grew up in California, I first began to experience symptoms of mental illness when I was living in a monastery in Sri Lanka. I began to hear voices and ended up in a hospital there.  I returned home, but continued to be symptomatic. I was hospitalized, which is where I first learned about Putnam Clubhouse.

I became a Clubhouse member. I work in the Hospitality unit, which is in charge of preparing meals, cleaning parts of the Clubhouse, and shopping for food and goods. I go on reach out trips to visit members who haven’t been regularly attending the Clubhouse. I’ve taken on leadership roles at the Clubhouse by running meetings and helping other members participate in the work ordered day. I’ve given many presentations in the wider community to tell other people about our program and the recovery model that we follow.

Because of the Clubhouse, my life has changed in many positive ways. If it weren’t for the Clubhouse, I don’t know what I’d be doing with my time. My Clubhouse has helped me lead a meaningful and productive life. I don’t struggle with anxiety and depression and I have gained more confidence. The Clubhouse has also been an outlet for practicing kindness and compassion with others. As far as my hopes and dreams go, I am certain I would like to return to monastic life. But in the meantime, I have my friends at the Clubhouse for support; and I am able to give back to others through my involvement at the Clubhouse. 

After studying for a few months, I found it too demanding. I started to accuse the teachers of all kinds of things, and could not concentrate during the class. I was then diagnosed with schizophrenia. My life turned into years of struggling with mental illness – going in and out of hospitals, spending too many Christmases in the hospital.

My mental illness not only affected my relationships with my friends and family, it also greatly hindered my work life. In my ten years of working, my history was very fragmented.

In 1998, Phoenix Clubhouse was set up. I was one of its earliest members.

Working in the clubhouse and on a Transitional Employment job give me job satisfaction and also help to rebuild my confidence and good relationships with people. I feel welcomed by the members of the clubhouse. They are willing to work with me and establish friendships.

After finishing my first Transitional Employment, I will try another TE and then look for other suitable jobs myself. I would also like to enroll some re-training course to further enrich my skills and knowledge.

I am grateful that the Clubhouse has offered me tremendous opportunities to grow and regain my confidence in a work environment.

What does belonging mean? There are different aspects to belonging. The first is to have a place among people where I am accepted the way I am. This does not mean that everyone in the Clubhouse approves of everything I do or say. However, what it does mean is something even more important than that. It means that I am respected and accepted without judgment.

For me there are two places where I belong: my family of origin and the Clubhouse.

Unlike a family of origin, the Clubhouse is a community that you can choose to belong to. Membership is voluntary, and there are no time limits on membership. This means a lot to me. It guarantees a right to be part of a supportive community, and it also guarantees that this community won’t be taken away from me.

Belonging to the Clubhouse guarantees me a place in the world and society. I have a stronghold, and from there I can develop and grow in whatever ways I choose. I experience acceptance and appreciation. I can come and go as I want to. I receive what I need. And above all, I can always return.

I think that this is one of the most important reasons why the Clubhouse is so successful for so many different people.