Podcast out now: Clubhouse or mental health hub? Exploring different recovery options

selectability’s Clubhouses and Mental Health Hubs both provide safe and welcoming spaces for individuals to build confidence, learn new skills and make social connections to support their recovery to mental wellbeing. However, the programs take into account that recovery is unique to each individual so they are structured and delivered differently.

Clubhouse is a member-led recovery program. We recognise that due to differing needs, our members require flexibility and some autonomy with relation to their recovery journey and so our Clubhouse provides just that. Members are encouraged to participate in the day-to-day operations of the Clubhouse, members choose the activities that we offer based on their wants and needs and we regularly update our offerings based on feedback from members at regular member meetings. There is no pressure for members to engage in specific activities and they can access and use the service in a way that is the most beneficial to their needs. The activities offered focus on inclusion and social engagement, building and maintaining healthy relationships, confidence building, and a strong focus on developing life skills for day-to-day tasks like cooking, cleaning, meal planning, and budgeting, things that support a sense of independence.

In comparison, the Mental Health Hub offers a more structured program. The activities at the Hub have a much stronger focus on psychoeducation, community connection, and resilience building while also promoting social inclusion and healthy relationships. One of our aims at the Mental Health Hub is to reduce the dependence on acute support services. We do this by providing psychoeducation to consumers. Psychoeducation is simply providing some education around the mental health concerns that any one individual is experiencing. Having a solid understanding of what is going on for a person and why they may be making the choices they do, why they may be feeling the way they do, can have a really significant and positive impact. It can remove some of the fear, shame and self-stigma that they may have regarding their mental health. For example, we might provide a consumer who experiences episodes of panic attacks with some tools to be able to recognise a panic attack and better understand their symptoms when one occurs. Knowledge is power and we see this all the time in individuals. One they can understand what is happening they develop a greater sense of control over their mental wellbeing.

In our latest podcast you will learn how Clubhouses and Mental Health Hubs operate, what each offers and how they are both great recovery options for people seeking support. You can listen to it here