A place to be: The role of clubhouses in facilitating social support.

Abstract

Intentional recovery communities, such as clubhouse programs, aim to foster social connections among individuals at risk for isolation as a result of living with a serious mental illness to engage and become active participants in the community. The objective of the study was to gather information on the nature of clubhouse support as it pertains to social network support and social relationships. The personal story/narrative approach was utilized and involved a naturalistic inquiry approach that allowed stories of clubhouse experiences to come forth with little interference or interjection as possible. Personal narratives revealed that staff, members and the overall clubhouse structure emerged as the center of social interaction and comfort for participants and a central sustaining means of social support. It appears that the clubhouse provides an intentional environment that creates a sense of community and a place to belong. The clubhouse as a place to be where one can meet individuals in like situations has been identified as very helpful in achieving recovery by providing the opportunity to rebuild one's shattered social network and offering contact with others in similar contexts.