In my city, there is a “clubhouse” for outpatients with mental health diagnoses. It’s staffed with people with a diagnosis and is centered around health and recovery model of mental health treatment and crisis prevention.
I had gone there when it first opened back in like 2008-2009 and it’s come a long way from the tiny little few offices it used to be. Now, there’s a pool table, a mini gym, a laundry room, some broken computers, a small library, and some rec rooms for media/groups.
I went back there because I missed the friendly sz’s there. I felt like I couldn’t be seen going there since I was in college and then grad school, but now I give zero cares so I drove there today.
I got to play pool, albeit, all alone. I am thinking of playing pool until I get as good as a pool shark and then I’m going to join a league outside the clubhouse and make a killing grifting. A young male, muttering to himself and pacing the length of the open sitting room, came up to the pool table and for a brief shining moment he paid attention to his external environment, namely me hitting balls into pockets. I smiled at him but he took it as a “get out of here” cue and took off across the room. Eventually, he trailed back to watch me play again (in between his pacing).
Missed the little quirks we have, like pacing and coming close, then far, then close, then far.
I’m going to tutor others since I have a degree in that field. It will be volunteering, but I’m thankful to get some practice teaching, even if it’s not paying.
Anybody else join a mental health wellness clubhouse?