Abstract Mental illness remains a global issue with limited community treatment options. In response, there has been a shift toward community-based approaches, such as the international Clubhouse model, which uses a “work-ordered day” structure. This study examines the impact of a London, England-based Clubhouse on members’ well-being and recovery, aiming to advance mental health care. A primary qualitative study was conducted at Mosaic Clubhouse with 16 participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, then thematically analyzed following ethical guidelines. Four themes emerged reflecting participants’ recovery experiences: “A Sense of Stability and Well-being” (improved daily functioning through structured support), “A Sense of Purpose” (finding meaning through contribution to the Clubhouse community), “A Sense of Achievement” (personal growth through skill development and autonomy), and “A Sense of Belonging” (social connections and acceptance within a supportive community). Participants described feeling “less bad” about themselves, having their lives “come back to life,” and experiencing reduced admissions. Challenges identified included staff turnover, repetitive activities, and limited board diversity. The study highlights the importance of addressing fundamental human needs in mental health interventions. It supports community-based recovery models that emphasize collaboration, empowerment, and belonging. The Clubhouse model aligns with evolving mental health care paradigms and underscores the role of these needs in both community and hospital-based approaches. Future research could examine which specific Clubhouse activities drive recovery-relevant outcomes and how these can be scaled to help close treatment gaps.
Anjorin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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