One of the driving forces behind the growth of Bridge House has been collaboration in the community. Through various outreaches and advocacy, Bridge House is having a positive impact not only in the lives of our own Clubhouse members, but also in the lives of persons throughout Connecticut and around the country who are dealing with the effects of mental illness.

Bridge House members advocate for and help each other in a variety of ways — as peer tutors in our education area, as peer guides through the maze of entitlement requirements, as supporters of one another in times of need, and more.

Advocates at the Clubhouse seek to stay on top of public issues that directly affect our members' quality of life. They provide extensive information on new and existing community supports, and help educate the public about mental illness.

Member advocates also sit on the Board of Directors at the Clubhouse and in advocacy groups in the community. They attend advocacy training in Hartford, testify before legislators, and write letters and emails about legislation relevant to themselves and others with psychiatric disabilities. Our advocates have received numerous awards and have even gone to Washington, DC on behalf of themselves and their peers.