Mental Health Is Community Health: The Clubhouse Model in the Context of Aotearoa New Zealand

The Clubhouse model is a psychosocial model of rehabilitation and mental health recovery. It is non-clinical, voluntary and inclusive. The Clubhouse model, which is situated within the community-centred mental health recovery approaches, can mitigate access and cost barriers that arise in some other services. It offers a holistic approach to mental health recovery by looking at well-being from several dimensions. In my research, I explored how Crossroads Clubhouse in Auckland – the only Clubhouse in Aotearoa* – might act as a third place in the mental health recovery of individuals in Aotearoa. This research employs a Critical Realist Ethnographic methodology. The data was collected through participant and non-participant observations along with photo-elicitation interviews. Inductive Thematic Analysis was used to organise data. Dimensions of Well-Being and Seamon’s Homeness of a Place were used as frameworks for data analysis. The results show a core overarching theme of holistic health which includes feeling a sense of belonging and care, along with feeling at home and having one’s well-being catered for. This core theme was enabled by key elements namely Places and Spaces (which discusses physical space and structures within the Clubhouse); Material Resources and Support (which outlines the tangible benefits, and various support channels members received from the Clubhouse); and Practices and Activities (which involves the multiple tasks and activities members and staff collaborate on). Finally, results highlight how the Clubhouse space can be a third place for members – a place distinct from home and work, where one can just be. It provides an empowering environment where members can learn new skills, and lead a life based on their strengths. Together with Seamon’s characteristics of homeness, along with the key tenets from the findings of this research, a new model for community mental health recovery is proposed in this thesis. Further research can be conducted on how Clubhouses can become essential tools for the mental health recovery journey of individuals in Aotearoa and the application of the proposed new framework to other community mental health programmes and mental health promotion.