Change Lives of 50 Mentally Ill for the Better

We all know very well that physical health is no less important than mental health. For people with mental health problems physical activities are very important as they help them stabilaze the condition of their mental health. That is why our Clubhouse rehabilitation program for people with mental health problems pays substantial attention to promoting healthy lifestyles among the Clubhouse members. Russia House motivates members to cook healthy food, stop smoking and do sports. The most favorable activities - swimming and bowling. In addition, some members like Nordic walking and riding bycicles. Please, have a look at Ilya and Sasha and share their joy!

To get a job means to obtain independence. Rehabilitation can not be considered completed if a person who gets rehabilitation support is unemployed. Russia House struggles a lot to help the members of our rehabilitation program come back to paid employment. Employment of people with mental health disability is not an easy task in any country. We had experienced some stagnation in development of our employment program. We have been doing a lot of efforts but they all failed.

And in October, after almost a 2-year gap Russia House made a real breakthrough in development of the employment program. We got a group placement at which 4 Clubhouse members will work. The placement is located at a small socially-oriented firm “Together” Ltd. The firm works in the field of hand-made production and souvenirs and fulfill large orders from big corporations and businesses. Our guys had a 2-week probation or trial period and worked together with a social worker. The latter helped them master all necessary skills and establish productive working relationships with other staff of the firm. They all successfully completed the trial period and concluded labour contracts with the employer. It is the supported employment placement and Russia House will continue any support that these 4 members will need at their working place. Tanya, Andrew, Pavel and Vlad, Clubhouse  members who started working in "Together" Ltd., consider this placement as the first step to their independent life and happy. Good Luck, guys!! We keep our fingers crossed!!!