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I am a firm believer in the clubhouse recovery model. I have been mentally ill for years before I even knew of the clubhouse concept. Bouncing from various psychiatric units and outpatient programs was normal for me. Ineffective psych meds? Nothing that liquor or street drugs couldn’t fix. This was my life until I finally became a clubhouse member.
Bear in mind that I attended clubhouses long before I became a real member. Until I began to voluntarily participate and accomplish goals alongside clubhouse staff and other members, utilizing them as my support system, helping me to stay out of the hospital and maintain my recovery, until I began to actually care, I was merely taking up space.
The three recovery modalities most responsible for my continued recovery are the Peer Recovery model, the principles of Harm Reduction, and the I.C.C.D. clubhouse model, which stands for clubhouses certified by the International Center for Clubhouse Development. The innovative I.C.C.D. clubhouse model is the basis for 400 similar programs in 32 countries around the world, assisting over 50,000 people.
I surrounded myself with my peers through daily clubhouse interactions. Peer advocacy and counseling training came in handy as I began to advocate for myself, and then my fellow members. Employment followed. I became empowered as I helped others become empowered. After attending meetings of various mental health agencies, I established a Committee for consumers in Brooklyn.
Hard work is its own reward. In March 2007, I was asked to represent a local clubhouse at the Washington D.C. Clubhouse Conference and Employment Celebration. Organized by the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, hundreds of clubhouse members from around the United States met for this 4-day conference in Bethesda, Maryland. Almost all aspects of clubhouse life were featured, including, but not limited to Housing, Wellness, Benefits, Recovery Supports, and the theme of the conference, Employment.
Both the employers that provided employment opportunities and the members that have rejoined the workforce were recognized and applauded. Persons with mental illness that work via clubhouse sponsored transitional, supported, and independent employment programs throughout the country tend to work longer and have higher job earnings than in other evidence-based practice models. Thus, we celebrated!
Daily workshops, meetings, and presentations were interspersed with local trips and entertainment. Hundreds of us clubhouse members made a memorable visit to the Green Door clubhouse, in a historic neighborhood of Washington D.C. We were offered friendly fellowship as well as a delicious repast in their spacious, aesthetic clubhouse.
I urge you to consider attending a clubhouse or clubhouse conference.