The Program for Clubhouse Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School reports some of the following research outcomes for clubhouses: (iccd.org)
Promotes recovery:
A recent study found that clubhouse members were more likely to report being in recovery and having a higher quality of life compared with a group of participants from a consumer run drop-in center (Mowbray, Woodward, Holter, et al, 2009)1
Clubhouse members indicate the clubhouse provides valuable opportunities to pursue meaningful activities that help them address their mental health recovery at their own pace (Stoffel, 2008)2.
Reduce hospital stays:
Membership in a clubhouse program resulted in a significant decrease in the number of hospitalizations (Di Masso, Avi-Itzhak, & Obler, 2001)3.
Help members obtain community based employment:
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing an assertive community treatment (ACT) program with an ICCD certified clubhouse in the delivery of supported employment services. Outcomes for participants in both programs met or exceeded most published outcomes, however clubhouse partipants worked significantly longer for more total hours and earned more. (Macias, Rodican, Hargreaves, et al, 2006)4.
Cost-effectiveness:
The cost of clubhouses is estimated to be one-third of the cost of the IPS model; and substantially less than the ACT model (McKay, Yates, & Johnsen, 2007)5.
Improve well-being and physical and mental health:
One study suggests that service systems should prioritize services that offer ongoing social supports like Clubhouses, as they enhance mental and physical health by reducing disconnectedness (Leff, McPartland, Banks, et al, 2004)6.
Improve quality of life:
Researchers in China examined the effects of the clubhouse model on various psychosocial issues for people diagnosed with schizophrenia living in the community. Clubhouse participants showed significant improvements in their symptoms, self-esteem and quality of life after attending the clubhouse for six months. The clubhouse participants also had improved employment rates. (Tsang, Ng, & Yip, 2010)7.
References:
- Mowbray, C.T., Woodward, A.T., Holter, M.C., MacFarlane, P., & Bybee, D. (2009). Characters of users of consumer-run drop-in centers versus clubhouses. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 36(3):361-71.
- Stoffel, V.C. (2007). Perception of the Clubhouse Experience and its Impact on Mental Health Recovery.
- DiMasso, J., Avi-Itzhak, T., Obler, D.R. (2001). The clubhouse model: An outcome study on attendance, work attainment and status, and hospitalization recividism. Work, 17, 23-30.
- Macias, C., Rodican, C.F., Hargreaves, W.A., Jones, D.R., Barreira, P.J., & Want, Q. (2006). Supported Employment Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial of ACT and Clubhouse Models. Psychiatric Services, 57, 1406-1415.
- McKay, C.E., Yates, B.T., & Johnson, M. (2007). Costs of Clubhouses: An International Perspective. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34(1), 62-72.
- Leff, H.S., McPartland, J.C., Banks, S., Dembling, B., Fisher, W., & Allen, L.E. (2004). Service Quality as Measured by Service Fit and Mortality Among Public Mental Health System Service Recipients. Mental Health Services Research, 6, 93-107.
- Tsang, A.W.K., Ng, R.M.K., & Yip, K.C. (2010). A six-month perspective case-controlled study of the effects of the clubhouse rehabilitation model on Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia. East Asian Archives of Psychiatry, 20, 23-30.
Impressive Results From Yahara House, a certified clubhouse in Madison, WI:
Yahara House helped members enjoy more positive mental health outcomes:
– For nine consecutive years no Yahara House members have committed suicide
– 91% of members had no psychiatric hospitalizations
– 98% of members had no jail days
– 90% of members live in their own apartments or family homes.
Some of the many benefits of a Clubhouse
- A cost-effective approach to recovery that is holistic, inclusive, sustaining, responsive and cost-effective approach to recovery
- Is a community offering respect, hope, mutuality and unlimited opportunity to access the same worlds of friendship, housing, education and employment as the rest of society.
- Transitional Employment offered: Supported and independent employment programs to assist members to secure, sustain and subsequently to better their employment (International Standard #23)
- A place where a person living with a mental illness can belong and feel “needed” as a contributing adult, rather than as full-time “patients” who are there only to be ‘treated”.See (www.iccd.org) for more information.