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Location:

Please consider scheduling your meetings, social outings or family dinners here during the 2nd through the 6th.  And please, please pass this opportunity along to your friends!

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Inside things were chaotic. People were milling around the lobby and starting to find their places in the auditorium. That’s where I found Lisa, Carolyn, Gina, Mark and Daniel of the Austin Clubhouse. I could tell everyone was excited and a little nervous at the same time. I was definitely on the nervous side of things and decided to remain seated with my friend Daniel, while Lisa, Carolyn, Gina and Mark took center stage at Austin City Hall.

Councilwoman Randi Shade said a few words about the Austin Clubhouse, its mission, and how this was a program to help the mentally ill socially and vocationally in Austin. December 14 through December 31, 2010 were declared Austin Clubhouse days.

Lisa, the Executive Director of the Austin Clubhouse, was really excited and happy. She gave thanks to the City of Austin, took a few moments to describe the Clubhouse program, and simply wanted to let people know we are here at 45th and Red River in Hyde Park.

Personally, I was extremely moved that someone like Lisa would speak on behalf of someone like me. When she came back to her seat, I thanked her twice and shook her hand. It was a great first experience at City Hall. Thanks again Lisa and to all those who are involved and support the Austin Clubhouse.

–Milton

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I found out about the Clubhouse last summer by attending a local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meeting. I thought at first that the clubhouse was for and about another type of illness,

but as I read the flyer and the NAMI website, I soon came to realize this was for me. I made a few phone calls to get more information and learn about the process of becoming a member. I thought membership might cost something, and with a limited income I needed to know all of the details. I also wanted to know whether it was in a safe neighborhood and if anyone would recognize me or know why I was coming. As you can tell I was a little nervous and quite hesitant. I was tired of being called “one of those people” and didn’t want my confidentiality to disappear. Was this some sort of adult daycare for the mentally ill or what? So many questions that I hoped would be answered soon.

Finally, I made the decision to make the initial call and my mind was soon at ease. After finding the location and the times available to visit, I decided to take a tour. Still, I was a little nervous, and not knowing what exactly to expect was still scary, but I knew I had to take the next step. Which I did, on the very next day, a Thursday.

That Thursday, I arrived and was welcomed with open arms. I was first given a tour of the facility. The first stop was the reception area, then the kitchen, where lunch is fixed every day the club house is open. It’s only $.50 and you get a full meal in return (talk about a bang for your buck). Then there was a room with a computer, work and education area (an awesome set-up by the way). After the tour I was asked to fill out a membership application which is kept confidential. I was more than happy to do so. I sat down and while filling out the application, which is very short, I talked with other members. They all had great things to say about the clubhouse and their experiences here. I was impressed. After filling out the application, I handed it to a staff member. I was eager to stay, but it was Thursday and close to 4 pm. So I would have to wait till the following week. The clubhouse is only open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. So wait I did.

The following Tuesday I arrived and was eager to get started (I could barely sleep the night before). I waited in my car a few moments before going inside. I was still nervous but decided to just go for it. I wasn’t sure where to start. The staff asked me, “What would you like to do or work on?” We had a meeting around nine with the staff and members. We all have input on what’s going on at the clubhouse, as well as assignments for the morning. We have an opportunity to volunteer for as many positions as we find suitable for us. For example, there is a clerical unit, which may include leading tours or helping with lunch. We also have a business unit, which includes working on employment, continuing your education, or improving your computer literacy. Each member chooses a job fitting to their goals and strengths for the morning shift. Being a new member, I was not sure where to begin, but I soon found myself working with some other members on housing. Before I knew it, it was time for lunch. At lunch we all sat and ate together.

After lunch we have a p.m. meeting that follows the same format as the morning meeting. We can sign up for different jobs or the same as before, it is all your choice. During the afternoon shift, I chose to work on employment. Preparing my resume and cover letter was first on my list. I soon started working along with others on different tasks. Once again before I knew it, my first day was done. I went home happy and satisfied with my day, and the fulfilling work I had done.

As you can see we keep busy at the clubhouse with a variety of jobs to choose from.

I can’t believe it has already been a month since I joined Austin Clubhouse; the time has definitely flown by. So, far I have finished my resume and cover letter, and am now sending them out daily. Also, I have been involved in the kitchen duties, housing, and now I can add receptionist to my list of job duties. Trust me, I’ve been busy being involved.

I am very excited to be here and be part of something very unique and much needed in our Austin community.

I want the give a big thank you to the staff, members, our donors and the Austin Community for letting me be “one of those people”. I know now where I belong and will always be welcomed.

–Dena

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Suddenly the line started to move forward and within moments we were inside. The place was jammed full of people. There were folks munching on snacks and carousing around the tables in the kitchen and anywhere else they could find a little personal space. People were chatting, sitting, and standing just about anywhere and everywhere. It was standing room only by the time my wife and I arrived in the main room. But fortunately, we did find a comfortable place to stand.

A friend of mine who I had met through a different organization showed up and started talking to us. He was doing quite well. He was working as a peer specialist, going to ACC, and had moved in with his girlfriend. I was truly happy for him and glad to see someone I knew.

As my friend and I wrapped up our conversation, the Austin Clubhouse kicked off its grand opening presentation with a short film. The film consisted of a series of personal accounts. Evidently, the ICCD clubhouse model was finding success through out the world. Individuals were volunteering themselves into healthier and happier places. One individual stated how he had felt like he wasn’t even a real person until going to his local clubhouse and getting involved with his recovery. I took a deep breath as a tear collected in the corner of my eye. I thought of all the failure at work and the lost hours at college. I thought about the idle times of being a couch potato. The years I had lost. I took another deep breath to compose myself more fully.

As I regained my focus, I noticed the decorations throughout the room. One flyer read, “They let me play chess here.” Directly to the right of it the next one read, “Hope, Dignity, and Respect.”

After the film, a couple of members of the clubhouse spoke elegantly about how the clubhouse was changing their lives. Through member support and the program, they were solving problems and reaching goals. Similarly, the individuals and the organizations they represented who were responsible for funding the Austin Clubhouse made adamant and sometimes emotional speeches. They spoke about why the ICCD model had been chosen, why Austin needed a clubhouse, the development process, and the future of the Austin Clubhouse.

After the speeches, things started winding down. My wife and I were leaving. I glanced over again at that one particular flyer pinned to the wall. Hope, dignity, and Respect. That’s what the Austin Clubhouse is all about I thought to myself.

–Milton

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Even though she was given the job last minute, Lisa Moore Yoch did a wonderful job of making sure everyone got to where they needed to be and knew what they needed to do. We should also thank all of the NAMI volunteers for their tireless efforts of the last few months to make the walk as fun as they did.

Austin Clubhouse was represented at the walk very well and the turnout from members and their families and friends alike. From what I saw, we were able to spread the word and mission of the clubhouse to a great many people and I truly think that now we can begin to help more people in the community.

–An Austin Clubhouse member

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USA Today reported, not too long ago, that the average person with a serious mental illness has a life expectancy possibly 25 years shorter than that of the average American. For those of us who suffer from these diseases, this news certainly rings our internal alarm bells.

Yet a person without a psychiatric diagnosis may react with little shock when presented with such numbers. An astute observer might rationalize that the reason for this outrageous disparity is the fact that persons with mental illness attempt (and succeed) at suicide with far greater regularity than the average American. This conclusion, while logically sound, is actually incorrect. The research demonstrates that individuals suffering with mental illness can expect a significantly shorter life span even after adjusting the data for suicide.

There is one overriding reason for the disparity: People with mental illness are far more likely to suffer from obesity and obesity-related health problems, such as Type II diabetes and heart disease, than are average Americans. The fact of the matter is that mental illness robs its victims of many things, among them is the ability to begin and maintain healthy exercise habits.

A former counselor of mine made the point to me in a rather dramatic way: Those with psychiatric diseases die, not because of the disease, but because of the symptom of the disease that handicaps their ability to maintain healthy habits, the most important of these being routine exercise of the body. He told me quite plainly that because I had a mental illness, and would probably require psychiatric medication that could (almost certainly would) cause substantial weight gain, that it was vitally important that I maintain an exercise program. In fact, he said, it could save me from an early grave.

His message was a wakeup call to me. I realized that I fit the stereotype of the person receiving treatment for mental illness. I was overweight, and my ability to sustain aerobic activity was substandard for a man my age. I decided to do something about it.

While I do not compete in marathons, and probably never will, I have made stretching, aerobic exercise and light weight training a part of my weekly routine. I have actually lost more than 20 pounds in 2010 alone, so I am quite pleased with the results thus far!

The most important thing, however, is that I have learned that healthcare for mental illness is holistic. One element of my treatment plan is medical, but there are many other pieces of equal importance that have little to do with seeing a doctor or therapist. This means that maintaining healthy habits is not something

for which my doctor can write a prescription. For me to get healthier, I need to exert some measure of agency. The way that I can best take action on my own behalf is through regular exercise. It is sometimes tough to find the motivation to get started, but for me, and others like me, it is vital that I take and make time for exercise. So I find a way to find the spirit of motivation.

The research is quite conclusive in this area: the length and quality of my life depends on it.

– An Austin Clubhouse member

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