Midtown Crossing Clubhouse Opens its Doors to Anyone Living with a Mental Illness
February 27, 2006
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis - Living with a mental illness can often cause people to become isolated and lonely. Studies have shown that people with a mental illness benefit from a strong support system with messages of worthiness and hope.
Midtown Crossing Clubhouse recently opened its doors to anyone living with a mental illness. The Midtown Crossing Clubhouse is located at 850 North Meridian Street and is operated by the consumers and staff of Midtown Community Mental Health Center.
"Since it began serving consumers in 2004, the Clubhouse has continued to see phenomenal growth," said Bruce Van Dusen, director of the Midtown Crossing Clubhouse. "By opening the Clubhouse to anyone with a diagnosed psychological disorder and not just Midtown consumers, we will be able reach out even further in assisting those with a mental illness."
The Midtown Crossing Clubhouse operates six days a week including programs on weekends, evenings and holidays. It offers socialization and vocational activities in a safe and supportive environment. Nearly 30 people use the Clubhouse regularly for various activities.
To promote continued independence and individual strength, the Clubhouse relies completely on its volunteer members to staff and operate the snack bar, kitchen and thrift shop; maintain the monthly Clubhouse newsletter; and organize regular activities in the community such as camping trips and other outings.
When it was established in 2004, Midtown Crossing Clubhouse was originally designed to serve the members of Midtown Community Mental Health Center. Now in an effort to build on its success and extend its reach, the Midtown Crossing Clubhouse is opening its doors to anyone with mental illnesses. As Indiana's first community mental health center, Midtown provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services for all types of emotional and behavioral challenges, including severe mental illness and substance abuse.
According to a recent study published by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, clubhouses have resulted in an increase in employment, educational and social opportunities for the mentally ill. The study also pointed to improvements in quality of life and confidence for clubhouse members.
"We're one of the only Clubhouses in the state with doors open to anyone in the community with a mental illness. We're proud to be a leader in offering this vocational service to people who need it the most," Van Dusen said.
Midtown Community Mental Health Center was established in 1969. Its family of outreach services and residential facilities has sought to meet the challenges of integrating patients into society through community-based care. Midtown's array of mental health and counseling services includes severe mental illness and substance abuse, 24-hour crisis response, detoxification unit, geriatric and nursing-home consultation, full continuum for chronically addicted patients, specialized home- and community-based programs for seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents and a partial-hospitalization program. For more information about Midtown Community Mental Center, please call (317) 630-7791.