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Shelley Osterloh ReportingMental illness affects one in four families, but the disease still carries a stigma that can make it difficult for the mentally ill to recover and get back into society. The Clubhouse organization, which helps those with mental illness, is holding a conference in Park City.
More than 300 people are gathered in Park City for the Clubhouse Regional Conference. Dozens of Clubhouses proudly carried their flags in opening ceremonies. Together they are determined to fight stigma of mental illness and to help and support each other on the road to recovery.
Abraham Kano'okele, Hawaii: "Being stereotyped, everybody misjudging us and thinking this that and everything else. But we are just normal people like very one else."
Bill Waters: "Think the stigma is more disabling in some ways than the illness itself. There is so much misunderstanding about mental illness, it makes it very difficult for people to get back and integrated into the community and be a full part of the community."
The Clubhouse model is used across the world in more than 30 countries. Salt Lake's Alliance House has about 130 members who help each other. The focus is on getting people jobs, stable housing and providing an atmosphere of acceptance and support.
Besty Ogden: "Because if I didn't have Club House, I wouldn't have a job right now. It's so important because it helps people in their recovery. It gives people a place where they feel welcome and they don't have to worry about having a mental illness. Everybody is welcome, everybody is expected, and everybody is wanted."
The conference continues through the weekend. There are nine clubhouses in Utah, and each year another 30 open around the world.
