Community Models Are Transforming Mental Health Care with Josh Seidman, Chief External Impact Officer for Fountain House

The Clubhouse model is proving that community and purpose can transform lives for people with serious mental illness. In this episode, Josh Seidman, Chief External Impact Officer for Fountain House, explores how the organization pioneered the Clubhouse model, a psychosocial rehabilitation approach built on community, partnership, and purpose rather than clinical hierarchies. Since its start in 1948, the model has expanded to 380 Clubhouses in 33 countries, helping members rebuild their lives through work, education, and connection. Data show that Clubhouse members experience higher employment, better housing, and reduced loneliness, while the model lowers Medicaid costs by 21%, saving society over $11,000 per person each year. Seidman also highlights participatory research projects like Measures That Matter and the Fountain House United Research Network (FHURN), which empower members to shape meaningful metrics and improve quality outcomes. Tune in and learn how community-driven innovation and lived experience are reshaping the future of behavioral health care! Resources: Connect with and follow Josh Seidman on LinkedIn. Follow Fountain House on LinkedIn and explore their website.  If you want to find a clubhouse, visit the Clubhouse International website.