Inspiration for the clubhouse-based program came from Radio La Colifata of Buenos Aires, Argentina, which broadcast their shows from a psychiatric hospital

Radio-UP is an important part of Donald Berman UP House—a “clubhouse” affiliated with the international mental health clubhouse movement. The emergence of these clubhouses around the world demonstrates that people with mental illness can successfully participate in society through education, employment and other social activities.

The first episode of Radio-UP’s Internet-based broadcast appeared in October 2011. Since then, different members have been working together, contributing their ideas and creativity, opinions and hard work to put the radio programs together. These club members are on a mission, reports The Gazette: they are adults living with mental illness and trying to reintegrate themselves into society and the job market.

The inspiration for the project originally came from Radio La Colifata of Buenos Aires, Argentina, which broadcast their shows from a psychiatric hospital.  A Swedish journalist was inspired by them and brought the idea back to Sweden and Radio Totalnormal started in Stockholm, Sweden in 2008. They broadcast from a clubhouse called Fountain House in Stockholm.  Three years later, members of Donald Berman UP House were inspired to start Radio UP when they saw the documentary film of Radio Totalnormal.

We speak with Fenton and Simon, two of Radio-UP’s broadcasters.

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video

Radio-UP released its new promo video on YouTube (July 14, 2014)