Investing in mental health recovery helps everyone

People living with serious mental illness face unique challenges, but they have the same desires and needs in life as everyone else. We must continue to work to bring attention to the importance of mental health and wellness in our lives and reduce the stigma that so many people face. While medication and therapy play a crucial role in recovery, a sustainable approach includes what Dr. Thomas Insel described in his book “Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health” as the “three P’s”: People, Place and Purpose.

For 15 years, B’More Clubhouse has provided long-term recovery support to Baltimoreans with serious mental illness, utilizing the “clubhouse model” — a community-based mental health model that exists in over 350 programs in 33 countries worldwide. At the Clubhouse, there are members, not “patients” or “clients.” Membership is voluntary, free and lifelong because recovery is often not linear. Members at the Clubhouse work alongside staff as colleagues in all operations of the program — from cooking lunch to tracking data to fundraising and administration. Filling important roles in the work of the organization helps increase members’ self-worth and confidence and provides a daily purpose. Through the intentional working community, members develop organic, lasting friendships and a full network of support. Indeed, the Clubhouse provides People, Place, and Purpose. The Clubhouse also offers programming to help members gain employment, re-enroll in school, improve their housing and access medical and psychiatric services in the community.

B’More Clubhouse may employ a global approach to mental health recovery, but this work is especially important in Baltimore City. According to Behavioral Health System Baltimore, in one year, 12.5% of the city’s population accesses the state’s mental health and substance abuse services, resulting in an annual cost of over $585 million.

Fortunately, Clubhouses are incredibly cost-effective. B’More Clubhouse conducted a study with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health that showed Clubhouse members have 33% lower health care costs than non-members also living with mental illness. Fountain House, a New York City organization that pioneered the Clubhouse model in 1948, released a report this year showing Clubhouse programs nationally already save government programs $682 million annually. A modest expansion of Clubhouses to reach just 5% of people living with severe mental illness in the United States would result in a whopping $8.5 billion in annual savings.

Maryland’s political climate brings our opportunity to meet the moment into even sharper focus. As our state’s budget tightens, it is important to invest in programs that save money year after year while also providing for much-needed services today.

Housing and employment are key concerns for B’More Clubhouse members. Gov. Wes Moore has made housing a signature issue, evidenced by his recent signing into law of a package of three housing bills dedicated to making housing more affordable. Baltimore’s economy is growing quickly, but in keeping with Moore’s mantra of “leave no one behind,” we want to make sure all community members experience not just the material benefits but also the sense of community and feeling of contribution that comes from employment. With increasing opportunities for quality long-term housing and employment, the Clubhouse can provide the connective tissue for people with severe mental illness to create a bigger, lasting impact so that truly no one is left behind as we make this Maryland’s decade.

Policymakers are beginning to see the value of B’More Clubhouse’s work and investing in it. We are pleased our Legislative District 46 representatives recently obtained funding to support the construction of an elevator in our building. This follows a significant investment in 2022 by Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration using American Rescue Plan Act funds. Looking forward, we hope to partner with the Maryland Department of Health and the Moore administration to identify funding for the expansion of Clubhouse programs so that the state is poised to take advantage of the savings that our model provides while also providing the best opportunities for people with severe mental illness to lead meaningful and productive lives of their choice.

While we carry out our vision for expansion, our program in Baltimore is growing and thriving. If you or someone you know can benefit from participating in B’More Clubhouse you can access our referral on our website or simply contact us to schedule a tour.

Jason Woody ([email protected]) is the executive director of B’More Clubhouse.