Perspectives on the Standards
Standard #34: The clubhouse has the support of appropriate mental health authorities and has all required licenses and certifications. The clubhouse seeks and maintains effective relationships with family, consumer and professional organizations.
Our clubhouses need the proper licenses and certifications in order to stay open. These permits also help us achieve the respect of the larger mental health community. We seek and maintain good working relationships with family, consumer, and professional organizations, such as AMI (Alliance for the Mentally Ill), the MHA (Mental Health Association), DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation), CSP (Community Support Program), and TLS (Transitional Living Services). The clubhouse is in a position to refer members to these services. If a member can use any community services, or wishes to participate in advocacy, clubhouses encourage us to do so.
The clubhouse movement is unique, but we do not wish to be regarded merely as stubborn renegades or as isolated cultists. Our clubhouses are not isolated, exclusive communes—we wish to change the world via our communities. So we play by the rules, network, and remain mindful of how the world percieves us. Every member on a job—T.E. or Independent Employment—every member at a college, every member on the Board, every member who suggests membership to others, every member engaged in reach-out, every member who mentions their clubhouse to their psychiatrist, is acting as an ambassador for the clubhouse movement.