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Member Stories
Dave H
I have been dealing with mental illness and anxiety most of my life. It effected my concentration and my ability to be social. I hated school and I couldn’t hold a job. I was finally diagnosed with bi-polar and depression in my early to mid 20s. I self-medicated, becoming an alcoholic and drug addict. Life has been a rollercoaster, one minute I’m up and the next I’m down. It was hard for me to have relationships, it impacted my family tremendously. I’ve been in and out of mental health care for the last twenty years. My whole support team recommended Clubhouse to me and we talked about it for a long time. Last year I finally had to try and come in. My life was very chaotic and I was tired of being lonely and not having a life. The first time i walked through the doors I had a complete panic attack. I walked in talked with [Clubhouse Director] Rich Meyer and walked out shaking like a leaf, I was way outside my comfort zone. About a month later I worked up the gumption to come in again. I observed an watched and slowly moved past my anxiety. Rich really made me feel welcome, like I was needed and part of something. Now, I have done a 180 turn around. My social skills are better and I am getting more involved with the Clubhouse. I am working on my sobriety and looking forward to starting work again. I would recommend this place to anyone who has mental health issues. I have seen this place do wonders for myself and others.
Holly M
I was diagnosed with the age of 7 with Autism and spent my childhood in and out of psych wards. When I was 22 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (and even later I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia) and ended up in an intensive outpatient group. One of the other people in the group was a Clubhouse member and he encouraged me to join the Clubhouse. I was nervous at first because in my past experience people hadn’t been kind to me. I eventually was sick of just sitting at home and came in to take a tour a year later. In Clubhouse I found a family people who wouldn’t judge me and would love me unconditionally. Being a Clubhouse member has helped me by being a place where I could be more social and create healthy boundaries. Clubhouse was also supportive in getting me out of homelessness. I like the kitchen unit, because I like doing dishes.
Vera M
When I was young I was diagnosed with a mental illness. Life has been okay, but sometimes I just walk around in circles. Coming to Clubhouse has helped me. I found out about Clubhouse at first through my son Corey & my friend Stephanie. I didn’t believe there was a place for people with mental illness, but I came and it was very nice. I had a lot of fun, we went on nice trips and I helped pitching in and doing chores. They helped me get a job. Now I am working. It had been 3-4 years since I had worked. Now I work at the college cleaning the dorms. It is going good. Clubhouse is a nice place to come if you need it.