Using the Economy to Develop the Community: Psychiatric Survivors in Ontario

This paper presents a unique approach that psychiatric survivors have taken over the past decade towards economic development in Ontario.  The term “psychiatric survivors” refers to people who are typically labelled “mentally ill.”  The author uses examples to illustrate the principles which guide survivor-controlled community businesses and how these businesses do much more than create jobs.  Collective employment through the creation of community businesses is used as a means of developing the social well-being of this community.

Kathryn Church is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Social Work.  She has worked extensively with members of the psychiatric survivor movement.

ISBN – 1-895796-71-1