RAGMHI Open Meeting | 13- December- 2025 | Exclusive Session With Kathleen & Jack скачать в хорошем качестве

RAGMHI Open Meeting | 13- December- 2025 | Exclusive Session With Kathleen & Jack

Health Integration and Club Updates The meeting began with Rita sharing concerns about her mother's health, who has been frequently hospitalized since August with various infections. Kathleen and others discussed the importance of integrating medical and mental health approaches, with Kathleen highlighting her psychiatrist's focus on laboratory results before prescribing medication. The meeting welcomed several participants including Elliot, who recently joined Rotary and attended a Clubhouse International seminar in Florida, and others from various locations including Massachusetts and Oklahoma. The conversation ended with technical discussions about recording the session, with Rita planning to make Shivangi the co-host for recording purposes. Clubhouse International Leadership Discussion The meeting opened with greetings from various participants, including Kathleen Merriam and Jack Yatsko, who were introduced as speakers for the session. Kathleen, who served as the Action Group's post office secretary for three years, and Jack, the Chief Operating Officer of Clubhouse International with over 40 years of experience in community-based mental health, were welcomed to share insights about Clubhouse International. Shivangi introduced Jack, highlighting his extensive work in advancing community-based mental health globally and his leadership in training, accreditation, and development efforts for clubhouses worldwide. Rotary-Clubhouse Partnership Success Stories Kathleen Merriam, a licensed clinical social worker and Rotary International faculty member, presented on the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation, highlighting its success and alignment with Rotary principles. She shared examples of Rotarians supporting Clubhouses through facility improvements, employment opportunities, and community events, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the partnership. Kathleen also discussed her personal experience with Clubhouse and Rotary, noting how Rotarians have helped expand Clubhouse programs and reduce stigma in the community. Clubhouse Model for Mental Health Jack presented on the Clubhouse model, a community-based approach for adults with persistent mental illness that focuses on recovery through work, school, housing, and friendships. Clubhouses are not residential programs but provide a supportive environment where members can participate in activities of their choice, including employment opportunities and social interactions. Jack emphasized the importance of partnerships with treatment providers and highlighted the unique relationship between Rotary Clubs and Clubhouses, noting that approximately 75 clubhouses globally have such partnerships. He also discussed the therapeutic milieu of Clubhouses, which follows a work-ordered day structure and promotes an egalitarian work environment.