July is National Minority Mental Health Month. This month brings awareness to the barrier to resources affecting many communities, especially that of Black, Brown, and Natives. Now as an Occupational Therapist, we can work in facilities that service people with mental illnesses and although I do not work full time with this population, as a student I was required to complete a 10–12-week affiliation in this setting. My experience was with a clubhouse which is a community-based program that focuses on friendship, employment, activity, and other areas with professional support.
The conditions of most of the members at this clubhouse included anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. On my first day I got to the place before my supervisor, and it was some of the members who welcomed me. They took me in with open arms and I got to learn their stories and provide what I could during my time there. Some of them had trauma from the military such as rape and PTSD, depression after an accident that caused physical injury, attempted suicide, sawing their arm off in a manic episode, and another was a few years older than me with young kids when schizophrenia took over and they required support from their parents.
With this program, we did golf, bowling, played games (they taught me how to play Dominoes), went to the movies, and did cooking among other activities. As a student I did run a few groups that I had to plan and I chose topics such as healthy eating, money management, and medication management along with hosting the weekly karaoke which I enjoyed very much, especially with seeing some of the members open up more. When I finished my rotation there, I went on to another setting but just before my graduation I went to visit them because I really did enjoy my time working with them.
I wanted to shed some light on my positive experience and how successful this model of treatment was to the people I worked with. Yes, many of them had their ongoing issues, but they always had someplace to go and people to talk to. I don’t think there are enough clubhouses in communities; when someone has a mental episode they get admitted to a hospital, get medication, and then are told they can be discharged. In most situations they must keep up with their outside appointments alone after the initial discharge agreements. So, who is it that can hold one accountable and make them feel seen and heard? Who is it they can hang out with and do activities with when many lose contact with family and friends as they continue to deal with mental illness? All of these are missing, and you have many reoccurring episodes and no one to assist you. The mental health crisis has gotten worse in the last few years here in our country and more resources need to be put into community programs that work. All of this can’t happen overnight, but I believe with more people advocating and putting it on the priority list we can see the change. So if you or someone you know is dealing with mental illness, please seek help and if you have a clubhouse in your area check it out and see if you like it.
Locations in NYC
https://www.fountainhouse.org/
https://www.nyconnects.ny.gov/services/citiview-connections-clubhouse-6458
To find locations in other areas
Clubhouse International http://clubhouse-intl.org