Dave George

How does an almost 50 year old guy start his Biography. I have thought long and hard about this and have decided the best way to do it is to re-tell a presentation which I recently gave at the 16th International International Centre For Clubhouse Developement Seminar which was held in Stockholm in Juky 2011.

But before I do, here is how circumstances ended up which resulted in me having such a magnificent opportunity to be able to share my story to members of the International Clubhouse Community.

Who or what is the International Clubhouse Community? I hear you ask yourself. The answer is quite simple. It is part of a global community which is as our Director, Joel Corcorran stated during the Seminar, "The world's Best Kept Secret"

To Quote the ICCD:

"The ICCD is a global resource for communities creating solutions for people with mental illness. We help communities around the world create ICCD Clubhouses, which are community centers that give people with mental illness hope and opportunities to reach their full potential.ICCD Clubhouses, now over 300 worldwide, are founded on the realization that recovery from serious mental illness must involve the whole person in a vital and culturally sensitive community. An ICCD Clubhouse community offers respect, hope, mutuality and unlimited opportunity to access the same worlds of friendship, housing, education, healthcare and employment as the rest of society. ICCD promotes the development and strengthening of ICCD Clubhouses; oversees the creation and evolution of standards; facilitates and assures the quality of training, consultation, certification, research and advocacy; and provides effective communication and dissemination of vital research and information.

Established in 1994, ICCD is a non-profit and non-governmental organization"

One of the Clubhouses in this International Community, is Stepping Stone Clubhouse (www.steppingstoneclubhouse.org.au) which is situated in the Brisbane Suburb of Coorparoo in Australia.

In 2003 I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety. I was in and out of mental institutions for the next 6 years and had made numerous attempts at suicide . My treatment regime over the years has consisted of a range of medications along with Electro Convuls