Fountain House traces its roots to the late 1940s at Rockland State Hospital in Orangeburg, New York. Six patients formed a group that met in a hospital “club room” where they shared their stories, read, painted and participated in social functions. Soon after leaving Rockland, they joined together to re-create the respectful and supportive group they had formed in the hospital, meeting on the steps of the New York Public Library. All believed they could offer each other support in life’s challenges and sustain their social community. They hoped that their successful recovery would gradually change society’s perception of people living with mental illness, leading to broader understanding and a reduction in stigma.
The group they formed, “We Are Not Alone,” speaks to what remains the central problem for people living with serious mental illness today- social isolation. In 1948, with help from their supporters, they bought a building in New York City. The fountain that adorned the “Clubhouse” garden at West 47th street represented both hope and rejuvenation and inspired the name “Fountain House.”
In November 2018, Fountain House hosted a first-of-its-kind international conference, Healthier Longer Lives for People with Serious Mental Illness, in partnership with World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Global Mental Health at Columbia University Medical Center, Grand Challenges Canada and citiesRISE, with technical support from the World Health Organization. The idea for the conference emerged from Fountain House's multi-year partnership with WHO to address the crisis of excess mortality in people with serious mental illness. At the convening, WHO guidelines produced through the collaboration entitled, Management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders, were released.
Healthier Longer Lives was attended by over 300 scientists, practitioners, policymakers and philanthropists from more than 30 countries. The convening showcased innovations from around the world improving the health of people with serious mental illness; presented new scientific advances; raised awareness of effective interventions; engaged partners in other fields; and created a space to inspire investment in and implementation of best practices.
Fountain House College Re-Entry opens its doors at 437 West 47th Street to help students that have discontinued their college plans due to mental health obstacles.
Fountain House/Clubhouse International are awarded the Hilton Humanitarian Prize.
You can make twice the difference for women and men living with mental illness—your first monthly gift will be matched x2.
You can make twice the difference for women and men living with mental illness—your first monthly gift will be matched x2.
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