Social club offers haven against bias

For people who wrestle with mental illness, the toughest step can be the one outside their door.

But for Clay County residents who have been diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), there's now a haven.

The Social Connextion, a social club for people diagnosed with SPMI, will celebrate with an open house Monday.

Open since August, it's already 90 members strong.

Among the pool table, pop machines, squishy couch and free coffee, people with mental illnesses can meet and befriend others who know and share their struggles.

"It's just a good place to talk with your compadres," said Jason Allen, a member and activities coordinator. "It's a good place to come and not be discriminated against."

The club, which is funded through government grants, has one full-time director and two part-time activities coordinators. Other than that, it's a club run by members.

The goal of the club is not to provide counseling, but to provide a social outlet for people who are or have been significantly impaired by mental illness. SPMI, a designation by the state of Minnesota, includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and borderline personality disorder.

Twice a week volunteers cook meals for members. Karaoke, bingo and card tournaments are scheduled throughout the month. Parties and dances designate holidays like New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day.

But whether there's an activity scheduled or not, members are invited to drop-in anytime during regular hours. A sign in the main room even invites people to "please use the phone for personal calls."

For Ken Danforth, chairman of the club's board, it's an emotionally safe place. In other social settings, people will eventually ask Danforth what he does for a living.

"When I say I have a disability, that I have a mental illness, they try to get away as fast as they can," he said. "Here you can be yourself around people."

Often people with serious mental illness avoid friends and family members, said Gregg Feigum, a social worker with adult mental health at Clay County Social Service. At times their symptoms make if difficult for them to make new friends.

"When they're isolated, their symptoms increase," Feigum said."It's best if they can just be around people."

Some who work in the mental health field say that social clubs help keep clients from returning to hospitals, alkthough there's little hard data on the subject yet.

The best proof it works come from the members themselves, who hope someday their club can help fight the sterotypes of mental illness.

Allen struggled with isolation and self-confidence until he started attending activities at the club. Interacting with other people raised his self-esteem enough that he applied for and received one of the club's part-time positions.

Mike Klinnert, who struggles with major depression, had no plans to join the club after he helped start it. He didn't think he needed it.

"But here I don't face the stigma of having a mental illness," said Klinnert, who is the other activities coordinator. "I know for some people, the toughest thing in the world is coming in here. But there's a lot of social support here, if you want it."

Readers can reach Forum reporter Erin Hemme Froslie at (701) 241-5534