Fountain House: Creating Community in Mental Health Practice

by Alan Doyle, Julius Lanoil, Kenneth Dudek

Often people with mental illness feel alone in society, with no place to go and little hope. Their isolation can be further perpetuated through typical approaches to treatment, such as case management and psychotherapy.Since 1948, the Fountain House "working community" has worked to address the isolation and social stigmatization faced by people with mental illness. This volume describes in detail its evidence-based, cost-effective, and replicable model, which produces substantive outcomes in employment, schooling, housing, and general wellness. Through an emphasis on personal choice, professional and patient collaboration, and, most important, "the need to be needed," Fountain House demonstrates that people with serious mental illness can not only live but also contribute and thrive in society.The authors also explore the evolution of Fountain House practice, which is grounded in social work and psychiatry and informs current strength-based and recovery methodologies. Its inherent humanity, social inclusivity, message of personal empowerment, and innovation—a unique approach on behalf of people suffering from mental illness—have led to the paradigm's worldwide adoption.

Genres: Nonfiction

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2013

Reviews

[Micaela Hardyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I love this concept and it’s clearly been shown to have great results and helped so many people in their journey of recovery from mental illness. Community is key, and so is being needed and appreciated within your community. This is an excellent overview of this kind of community mental health center, and I hope to see more of a community, strengths-based mindset continue to grow amount mental health practitioners. My only suggestion for improvement would be to expound a little more on some of the difficulties likely to arise in these settings and how to best overcome them.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important book that highlights the strategies used by Fountain House to support the reentry of severely mentally ill patients back into society.

The concepts of being needed, community, choice, and support are all critical and have been missed with our current initiatives meant to address this important issue.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of Fountain House and the theoretical approaches that gave been put into successful practice. A must read for anyone working with those with mental health conditions.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fairly comprehensive review of the history and developments of the 'Fountain House', a sanctuary of sorts for those displaced and alienated due to a mental health diagnosis, which originated in New York City and has since become international, with clubhouses in over 400 locations. It's been a welcome refuge for me since arriving in Austin without knowing anyone...Though being involved and even being on the board for a very short stint, I don't know that this 'clubhouse model' actually provides a place for healing and recovery that it was intended..

[Twolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for those who want to understand the service model as well as those that can always be reminded why we do what we do

[Володя Анкудинов · Rating 5 out of 5]

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