New 8,000-square-foot mental health facility opens in Southfield

Metro Detroiters living with mental health disorders as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities have an opportunity to learn, play and engage with the community at Gesher Human Services' new 8,676-square-foot facility in Southfield.

The Lois and Milton Y. Zussman Center, which opened on May 14, is twice the size of its previous location. There will be an open house at the new facility on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. It is located in the Vanguard Center, 23800 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield.

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What is offered

The Zussman Center will house two specific programs: The first is Clubhouse for the Common Good, a collective meeting space affiliated with Clubhouse International, a community-based service that offers job-search help, culinary education, fitness coaching and socialization. The second is a creative expression program, an art program offering education and practice with photography, painting, sculpting, music, dance and creative writing.

Clubhouse for Common Good, the first program, is directed specifically at individuals with any mental health diagnoses, while the Creative Expression program is open to people with persistent diagnoses, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

How to use it

Eric Adelman, the chief advancement officer of Gesher, said that using the new space is easy — just call and make an appointment.

Currently, some participants receive funding through the Oakland Community Health Network, but Adelman expects to have private pay options available soon, broadening access to their services.

Adelman said that both programs are not intended to feel like clinical visits to doctors; the building is not a lockdown facility and attendance is entirely voluntary.

"Too often, people with mental health challenges don't find open doors," Adelman said. "They don't have somewhere to be needed."

At the Zussman Center, Adelman said, the goal is to build a collaborative environment where attendees are an important part of daily operations.

Nathan Volz, vice president of community inclusion at Gesher, said in a release, "Everyone shares the space — staff and members are all considered colleagues — and there is no hierarchy.”

While they offer mental health services, “It should not feel like a visit to a therapist," Volz said. "Members aren’t going there to be reminded that they have a challenge, but instead they have a purpose, are engaged, and part of an important community in a really pleasing setting."

Anyone interested in attending the open house on Thursday can RSVP by clicking here. 

Breaking news reporter Liam Rappleye can be reached at lrappleye@freepress.com.