Our History
The Mental Health Association of SW Oregon was organized in 1976. The SHAMA Clubhouse developed as a growing number of mental health consumers identified the need for an alternative system for providing many of their mental health needs. The Clubhouse opened in September of 2000, under the direction of David Bertapelle, LCSW. It is fashioned after the Clubhouse Model, originated by the Fountain House in New York City 50 years ago.
Our core beliefs are:
- Individuals with mental illness are able to take an active role in delivering the services necessary for recover from the effects of mental illness and substance abuse.
- Each individual has something to contribute.
- A setting needs to be developed and maintained where these contributions will be valued and shared.
- Strong ownership and investmen t by members in the development, operation and governance of the Clubhouse.
- The need to evolve from an opposing cultural belief that views people with mental illness as not capable for normal involvements in life, which is then adopted by the effective individuals, which leads to social i solation and withdrawal from normal activities.
- The need for an intentional community designed to create a restorative environment within which individuals who have been socially and vocationally disabled by mental illness can be assisted to achieve or regain the confidence and skills necessary to lead vocationally and socially satisfying lives.
