Sunlight streams through a glass door into a living room in a house on Oakland Avenue. Peter Jennings announces the day's news on a television near a window.

But the half dozen adults sitting in the living room don't pay much attention to it. They're engrossed in conversation and once in awhile laughter erupts from the group.

It's Friday evening at The Bridge, a house in Austin where adults with mental health illnesses can play games like pool, watch movies and, most of all, talk to one another about their feelings, struggles and breakthroughs.

"Maybe there's a bridge from sickness to wellness and maybe you're still on that bridge," said Carolyn Espe of the house's name.

The Bridge will be open two years this summer and has seen many changes in that time. The Bridge is open two more days a week than when it started. Free use of a washer and drier are now available in the house's basement. It raised enough money at last year's fund-raiser to purchase an oven.

This year's fund-raiser, which will be held Wednesday, will raise money for an Internet connection. Two computers already are set up in the dining room.

Many of the regulars at The Bridge were instrumental in its beginning. Scott Baudler, who works part-time there, came up with the idea and he and a board got it up and running in a year. He has been dealing with his own mental illness since he was 15.

It opened in June 2000 as the first consumer-run drop-in center in Minnesota. That means medical professionals do not facilitate discussion and organize activities, a feature that participants appreciate.

"It's good to be with people who have the same problem," Espe said.

The participants note that medication and professional therapy help their conditions, but meeting with people outside of a medical setting adds another element to their treatment.

"We lighten each other's moods," said Roni Streightiff, who has been coming to The Bridge since it opened.

The Bridge is funded by Mower County Human Services and is a sister center to Mental Health Consumer Survivor Network in the Twin Cities.

Some evenings The Bridge is everything Baudler hoped it would be, he said. Those are the nights when conversation turns from everyday events to discussions of mental health issues. Most of those that come to the house say they have struggled with mental illnesses since they were teenagers.

"The neatest thing that happens here is when eight different conversations are going on at the same time and everyone's connected," Baudler said.

Many of the people who come to The Bridge knew each other before it opened. Baudler and his wife, Beth, met at the now-closed Adult Community Treatment program at Austin Medical Center. Streightiff and Randy Guyer knew each other for about 18 years, but just recently got engaged.

"There's a lot of relationships that happen," Streightiff said.

Those attending Friday's gathering said they welcome more people to come to The Bridge. On average, about eight people are there on any given night. Activities such as bingo and pot luck dinners are scheduled each week. At 7 p.m. Saturdays, movie nights are held with free popcorn and Kool-Aid.

"We have a nice time around here," Streightiff said. "It's just relaxing."

The Bridge, located at 508 W. Oakland Ave., is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

A fund-raiser to purchase an Internet connection will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Sportt's Restaurant and Lounge.

A meal of a hamburger, fries and a beverage will be sold for $5. Tickets can be purchased at The Bridge, from its members, at Mower County Human Services, Cedar Valley Services or at the door. For more information call The Bridge at 434-9334.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com