While medical intervention and psychological counseling are standard practices for responding to diagnosed mental illness, there is another lesser-known approach called the Clubhouse Model.
In 1948, a group of former psychiatric patients in New York City felt marginalized and disempowered by medical institutions that focused solely on their symptoms and not on their full potential as human beings. They formed an alliance dedicated to helping each other rather than relying solely on doctors or mental
health professionals.
They formed the first “clubhouse,” calling it Fountain House and granted membership for life. Rather than medical treatment or forms of talk therapy, a clubhouse offers meaningful engagement through a sense of purpose and utilization of skills and interests.
The core value of any clubhouse is in promoting the inherent benefits of work, both within the clubhouse and through supported employment in the community. Running the clubhouse, from administrative tasks to daily duties of making meals and work-related programs, is the responsibility of the members working side by side with a small member-selected staff.
As a testament to the power and benefit of this mutually supported fellowship, clubhouse members have double the employment rate of other people in the public mental health system.
May is Mental Health Awareness month, a perfect opportunity to direct attention to this effective approach to wellness and recovery. There are now hundreds of mental health clubhouses throughout the world. New York State has 12 clubhouses, Pennsylvania has 19, but New Jersey – because of policies that divert mental health funds exclusively to medical establishments – has had none, until now.
Shore House, a New Jersey clubhouse that depends on private donations, serves members from Red Bank, Rumson, Little Silver, Fair Haven and surrounding areas.
Susan Sandlass of Rumson began Shore House 10 years ago as a one-day-a-week clubhouse in a space donated by the Woman’s League of Red Bank. Within a few years, membership grew, requiring another move to a new space in Long Branch.
Now, in 2019, having received accreditation from Clubhouse International, Shore House is expanding yet again to meet the growing needs of the mental health community. With the success of Shore House and the many stories of members who have rejoined society and can now share in a sense of belonging, it is easy to envision the day when much-needed clubhouses are established throughout the 21 counties of New Jersey.
For the sake of all those who would benefit, let’s hope that day is coming soon.
