Seacoast Pathways Opens its Doors in Portsmouth

Seacoast Pathways, a new mental health club house that features work-ordered units and fellowship among its members, opened its doors for the first time this Monday, October 20 at the North Church Parish House on Spinney Road in Portsmouth.

The Club House Model employed by Seacoast Pathways is a standard “blueprint” for all club houses of this type. In a non-clinical setting, members with a mental illness are welcome to join for no charge (outside of a very small fee for lunch, coffee and snacks.) The work-ordered-day involves the operations of running the clubhouse, planning events, and members supporting each other in their pursuit of education, employment, housing and work collaborations with others. A staff of two works with members in a supportive, non-authoritarian manner. Members are free to choose their own activities and decide how much time they would like to spend on each. Daily attendance (Seacoast Pathways is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm) is voluntary and members may come and go as they please.

The interaction and socialization among members within a work-ordered-day structure is a positive combatant to the isolation many with a mental challenge often experience. Members from Granite Pathways (the only other such club house in New Hampshire, in Manchester) visited on Monday and told members of Seacoast Pathways that their lives had been changed significantly for the better through their involvement in this sort of environment.

Anyone who has a mental challenge and can be referred by a mental health clinician is welcome to join Seacoast Pathways, no matter where they live. Transportation must be provided by the member, although assistance may be arranged. Interested parties and the general public are free to drop in at any time during operation hours to see the clubhouse, chat with members and staff and pick up application materials. Mental health case managers and other counselors or therapists are also welcome.

For further information or referrals contact Joe Hill at 603-969-2968 www.seacoastpathways.org