A Club Where All Are Welcome: How the Clubhouse Model is Changing Mental Health Treatment in NYC

Since 1949, May has been Mental Health Awareness Month, encouraging people of all backgrounds to take action and help change the way we talk about mental health. One in five American adults experiences mental illness each year, while one in twenty lives with a severe mental health condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. 

Despite the number of people affected, the U.S. still lacks adequate treatment and support services for mental health issues. According to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, among the 59.3 million adults with mental illness, only half received treatment in 2022. Further, the treatment that individuals receive is not always adequate or tailored to their specific background and needs. 

It is essential that we continue shaking the stigma and developing supportive systems that cater to each person’s unique mental health challenges. Clubhouse International is an instrumental part of this mission, offering an effective, time-tested model for uniting and empowering individuals living with mental illness. Our BCS Greater Heights Clubhouse operates under the Clubhouse International umbrella, helping Brooklynites find community and access important resources around New York City. 

Greater Heights members at the Clubhouse’s 29th anniversary party, 2024

Clubhouse International (CI) currently operates over 370 clubhouses in 32 counties. The organization is based on the mission and methods of Fountain House, a clubhouse that was founded in NYC in 1948. Fountain House continues treating individuals to this day, with a mission to “[transform] the way the world sees and treats people most impacted by mental illness.”

The Clubhouse model’s unique approach has made a difference in thousands of lives over the years. In the model, Clubhouse members have access to a collaborative and restorative environment, set up around the belief that every person has skills and insight to contribute to society. In the Greater Heights Clubhouse and others around the world, members not only receive therapeutic and psychiatric care but also opportunities to hone job skills, improve their physical health, socialize, and learn about personal finance. 

This holistic approach to mental healthcare has proven invaluable in building members’ confidence and ending the social and economic isolation that can often accompany mental illness. In New York City, especially, pre existing financial strains can be severely worsened by the onset of mental illness, and the city has a history of low and unequal mental healthcare distribution. That’s why Bill Lampert, Greater Heights staff member, says that it’s important to him to help members identify and achieve their personal and professional goals. 

“When you come here, everybody’s invested in you, they know who you are,” Lampert says. “Because the truth is that whenever our members succeed, it inspires not just the members but all of us to do better…Showing up is 99% of what makes this a successful experience. So if you’re invested in your ability to move forward, this is a good place.”

Jabarie, a member of Greater Heights, says that the Clubhouse has given him his mojo back and helped him to speak more openly about his mental health diagnoses. “We have groups in the morning. If I have an issue, I can see my counselor or another staff, and they can help me,” Jabarie explains. “[Staff members] help me immediately. Everybody just has your back.”

Greater Heights hosts regular events and activities for members, including group meals that members cook and serve. “The people who make food know that they can’t produce 30 meals without the assistance of the members,” says Lampert. “Everybody needs these things to be done. We need to work on it together to get it done. It’s not my clubhouse. It’s not his clubhouse, it’s our clubhouse.” 

The Clubhouse encourages members to spend time together outdoors, using nearby Saratoga Park in Bushwick for walks, games, and picnics. It has partnered with companies like Deloitte for career training workshops and economic empowerment initiatives. 

At these events, individuals can participate in mock interviews, receive feedback on their resumes, and network with potential employers. Greater Heights caseworkers also help members search for transitional employment opportunities and permanent positions across industries. 

“I like the help that caseworkers give the members,” says Phillip Johnson, a longtime Clubhouse member. “I like to make friends here. I like the atmosphere, environment, and community. It helps with sobriety and keeping clean; the Clubhouse can help you volunteer to work.”

Greater Heights team building at Saratoga Park, 2021

Greater Heights is one of over 20 clubhouses in the NYC metro area, with clubhouses in all five boroughs. The New York Clubhouse Coalition works to widen the impact of all clubhouse sites through collaboration and city-wide advocacy initiatives. Earlier this year, NYC’s Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH) awarded the city’s clubhouses $30 million in funding through the Request for Proposal process, and there has also been talk of new, alternative models to support smaller clubhouse sites. 

The Clubhouse model continues to expand in scope and has become an essential part of treating mental health concerns in NYC. DOHMH anticipates that by July 2027, over 6,600 members will be enrolled in clubhouses throughout the city. Last year, Fountainhouse CEO Ken Zimmerman spoke about this momentum and what it means for clubhouses moving forward.  

“There is growing attention to clubhouses, which means there are more and more people who seek the support that we provide. We are having unprecedented numbers of people joining our community,” Zimmerman said. “The challenge is improving [our] coordination and partnerships…growing those partnerships with affordable housing providers, community mental health providers, and an array of organizations that serve unsheltered people is key.”

As Greater Heights grows its membership, it will continue building relationships with organizations and companies that support the Clubhouse’s mission. With more people than ever turning to clubhouses for assistance, it is essential that we and all other sites have the resources to support them. Later this month, Greater Heights will hold its annual Economic Expo, where members will have the chance to learn about new career paths and meet with different employers and social service providers. 

This October, Greater Heights celebrates its 30th anniversary. This long history is a testament to the Clubhouse’s ability to continually adapt to the needs of its members and the Brooklyn community at large. “Here, there’s a real desire to go the extra yard,” Lampert explains. Members come here and volunteer their time to work here to invest in their own recovery…it’s amazing.”