Project Description Narrative:
More than half of the 859,000 adults in Wisconsin who have mental illnesses do not receive treatment, and more than two million Wisconsin residents live in communities with a shortage of mental health professionals. Without appropriate support and employment, thriving with mental illness can feel impossible, leading to potential hospitalizations, detentions, financial burdens on the health and justice systems, and individual trauma.
The Clubhouse model provides physical spaces where people with mental illness can find material support (food and clothes), community connection and social support, and access to supportive services such as housing and education. In Wisconsin, Clubhouses face sustainability challenges, calling for new and strengthened partnerships and more effectively integrating Clubhouses into mental health and supportive service systems.
This project will formalize a coalition of Wisconsin Clubhouses to create a sustainable system, strengthening relationships, establishing a communication infrastructure, and providing best practices and data.
The new Clubhouse coalition will provide a foundation to reach further into our communities and integrate Clubhouses into existing systems, ensuring people with mental illness can successfully live, work, grow, and thrive.
Community Partners: Granite House, Spring City Corner Clubhouse, Chrysalis Clubhouse, Racine Friendship Clubhouse, Yahara House, Clubhouse Michigan, Crossroads Clubhouse, Clubhouse International