Who are the mentally ill? They are our family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. The severity of this illness can vary from person to person. Some individuals can perform daily tasks, including work, while others whose illness is more severe struggle just to get through the day and become unemployable. Mental illness affects both men and women, regardless of age, education, income, or social status. It is a lifelong illness with recurring episodes. There is currently no cure. However, with proper treatment, many people with a mental illness can lead fulfilling, happy, and productive lives both personally and professionally.
Mental illness refers to a wide range of disorders that affect mood, thinking and behavior. The more common major mental illnesses include: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Schizophrenia. Based on early 2026 statistics citing the National Institute of Health, one in five U.S. adults, approximately 59.3 million adults, or 23.1% of the adult population, are living with a mental illness.
Years ago, when we deinstitutionalized the mentally ill, states passed laws making it illegal to force mentally ill adults to be treated or take their medications. Once you reach the age of 18, you have a civil right to refuse treatment and remain mentally ill until you become suicidal or homicidal, as determined by judges at commitment hearings. Only a small fraction of individuals with a diagnosed mental illness ever becomes violent, and then usually when they fail to get treatment or take their medications. Catching the problem early is crucial. Yet families seeking help are often turned away, or else lose control when the individual turns 18.
Our failure to care for the mentally ill comes at a high cost – not just in economic terms but in wasted human potential. Untreated mental illness not only results in suicide and homicide, but in substance abuse, crime, and homelessness. Mental illness is not going away, and we as a country must find a balance between protecting the rights of mentally ill people and getting them the treatment they require to recover and not become a threat to themselves or others.
Here in Fort Myers, we are very fortunate to have Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida, the only nonprofit organization in the community that supports adults living with mental illness. These adults can spend a lifetime in and out of emergency rooms, jails, and psychiatric hospitals. The power of the Clubhouse program is its effectiveness in keeping its members out of the hospital, reducing their encounters with law enforcement, and on a continuous path to recovery.
Hope Clubhouse is a therapeutic gathering place that promotes healing, opportunity, purpose, and empowerment. Those who participate are “members,” rather than patients. The Clubhouse emphasizes each person’s strengths, talents, and abilities. Members work side-by-side with Clubhouse staff, as colleagues, in an atmosphere of mutual caring and respect. Membership is voluntary and open to anyone over the age of 18 with a history of mental illness at no costs to members. They may attend as frequently or occasionally as suits their needs, and for full or partial days.
Helping members overcome the social isolation that often exacerbates mental illness by providing them a place to make friends with peers who understand their struggles first-hand is very important. The staff helps members learn to focus on their strengths, rather than their disability, so that they may achieve their full-life potential, to include helping some members return to the workforce for the first time in years.
The Clubhouse offers three programs for career development – Business, Culinary and Horticulture. Members work in the department of their choice. Hope Clubhouse also encourages and supports members who are interested in furthering their education, works to ensure that members have access to affordable housing, and assists members in obtaining appropriate medical care and psychiatric services.
Many members will tell you that the Clubhouse saved their lives. By helping these individuals maintain stability and achieve recovery, the Clubhouse reduces the economic burden on the community. Anyone wishing to learn how they can support Hope Clubhouse, please contact Lauren Walker, CEO, at 239-267-1777 or hopeclubhouse.org.
Dottie Pacharis is a Mental Health Advocate.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hope Clubhouse supports adults living with mental illness | Opinion
Reporting by Dottie Pacharis / Fort Myers News-Press
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