Last Saturday, I had the honor of presenting to Clubhouse International, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary. 700 staff and members were present. Clubhouses are community-based centers that support people living with mental illness by offering opportunities for work, education, and social connection in a safe, empowering, and inclusive environment. They are a testimony to the healing power and evidence-based results of community.
Clubhouse is the kind of place my mother would have gone when she was suffering from schizophrenia. It provides a place for people with serious mental illness to work, to have social activities, to contribute to their communities, and to be healthy.
There are 370 Clubhouses worldwide, in 33 countries. We had representation from many of those countries, making it a truly international experience. I met people from China, the Netherlands, Canada, and Slovakia.
I was impressed with the storytelling at the conference. Members and staff made two videos to showcase the myriad ways Clubhouses operate. Many members, people with serious mental illness, took the stage to tell the story of how their lives turned around after they became involved with the Clubhouse.
I was there to discuss addressing stigma and how individuals can share their stories to overcome bias and discrimination.
“We must bring the issue of mental illness out into the sunlight, out of the shadow, out of the closet, deal with it, treat people, have centers where people can get the necessary help.”
– John Lewis
