Impact report

​There is no definitive path to recovery for people living with a mental illness. At the heart of Progress Place’s recovery model is the facilitation of an inclusive, respectful and engaging community. Members and staff work side by side to create an environment conducive to the health and wellness of people living with a mental illness. This model helps individuals find their own unique path to recovery, and work through that path at their own pace.

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The Challenge

​1 in 5 Canadians will experience a form of mental illness at some point in their life

​Economic cost of mental health problems and illnesses in Canada is an estimated
​$50 billion per year

​
27% of Canadians fearful of being around people who are living with a mental illness

​Unemployment rates are as high as 70-90% for people living with the most severe mental illnesses

Progress Place
​Has a Solution

​​We are Partners in Recovery for all individuals living with a mental illness. Our impact speaks for itself.

We improve the health of people living with a mental illness

• Progress Place’s recovery model enhances mental and physical health by creating a community that fosters a sense of belonging, unconditional acceptance, dignity and self-worth, and independence.

We save our Canadian healthcare system money

• After 1 year engaging in Progress Place’s recovery model, members’ hospitalization rates drop by 90%.

We help shatter the stigma

• Compared with individuals receiving usual services, members enrolled in  programs similar to Progress Place’s recovery model have been shown to be significantly more likely to report that they had close friendships and someone they could rely on when they needed help.

We improve the employment status of people living with a mental illness

• Longer on-the-job tenure is found to be highly correlated with Clubhouse attendance.
  • Progress Place members have been employed at over 40 companies throughout Ontario over the past 30 years and reported greater quality of life, self-esteem and sense of purpose.

Testimonials

“Progress Place has given me structure in my life. There is always something to do here which allows me to focus on productive things. This is an important part of my recovery.”

“Taking part in the work ordered day has helped tremendously with my recovery. It helps me keep my mind off my mental illness, keeps me focused, builds my confidence and reminds me that I’m not alone.”

“I love giving tours to potential Members at Progress Place. I meet so many different people, and I take pride in showing off Progress Place and how it can help people.”

“Facilitating learning groups at Progress Place makes me feel like I’m giving back and doing something worthwhile. This is an important part of my recovery.”

“Progress Place has given me far more confidence than I’ve ever had in my life.
It’s an amazing place and I don’t know what I would do without it.”

Sources:
1: Bell Let’s Talk, 2: Mental Health Commission of Canada, 3: CAMH, 4: Clubhouse International, 5: Internal Progress Place Research

FEATURED ARTICLES

Canadian Clubhouse Study: Primary Outcome Analysis 
Mutschler, C., McShane, K., Liebman, R., Junaid, S., & The Canadian Clubhouse Research Group. (2023). A multisite longitudinal evaluation of Canadian clubhouse members: Impact on hospitalizations and community functioning. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000581