Open access

Consumer/Survivor Businesses in Ontario: Challenging the Rehabilitation Model

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
September 1992

Abstract

In recent years the field of vocational programming for people with serious mental health problems has been undergoing major changes. This paper examines one of the new approaches which has emerged: consumer/survivor-run businesses. These models typically feature as key players people who have used the mental health system themselves. Cooperative businesses are set up in which those involved are employees rather than clients. There is little or no input from professional staff. Consumer/survivor-run businesses represent a challenge to the idea that vocational programs should be based on professional rehabilitation service models. Early results indicate that involvement in these programs substantially reduces the use of mental health services such as inpatient hospitalization.

Résumé

Le secteur des programmes de réhabilitation pour les personnes rencontrant des problèmes graves de santé mentale a connu, ces dernières années, des changements majeurs. Cet article porte sur l'une des nouvelles approches qui se sont développées: les entreprises gérées par les «consommateurs/survivants» eux-mêmes. Ce type d'entreprise a comme caractéristique centrale de faire des utilisateurs du système de santé mentale les acteurs-clés. Ces entreprises coopératives offrent un cadre où les personnes impliquées sont des employés plutôt que des clients. Il y a peu ou pas de contribution provenant d'un personnel professionnel. Les entreprises gérées par les «consommateurs/survivants» mettent en cause les programmes de réhabilitation fondés sur le principe de l'aide professionnelle. Les premiers résultats montrent que l'implication dans ces programmes réduit sensiblement le recours aux services de santé mentale comme l'hospitalisation à l'interne.

Formats available

You can view the full content in the following formats:

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 11Number 2September 1992
Pages: 65 - 71

History

Version of record online: 6 May 2009

Authors

Affiliations

John Trainor
Ontario Ministry of Health
Jacques Tremblay

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Other Metrics

Citations

Cite As

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

1. Work Accommodations in Canadian Social Firms: Supervisors’ and Workers’ Perspectives
2. Bridging the Gap Between Dreams and Realities Related to Employment and Mental Health: Implications for Policy and Practice

View Options

View options

PDF

View PDF

Login options

Check if you access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article.

Subscribe

Click on the button below to subscribe to Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health

Purchase options

Purchase this article to get full access to it.

Restore your content access

Enter your email address to restore your content access:

Note: This functionality works only for purchases done as a guest. If you already have an account, log in to access the content to which you are entitled.

Media

Media

Other

Tables

Share Options

Share

Share the article link

Share on social media