THE ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT OF THE MENTALLY-ILL IN THE COMMUNITY .1. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Consumer cooperatives have been shown to be feasible in Europe for gen erating adequately reimbursed jobs for the mentally ill, and may be vi able in the U.S.. Such businesses can gain a market advantage by offer ing goods and services to mental health agencies or to the consumer gr oup. Interviews with 50 mentally ill people living in Boulder, Colorad o, identified sizable markets controlled by consumers: the average men tally ill person in the sample consumes $2,000 a month in psychiatric treatment, accommodation, food, medication and other goods and service s. The findings suggest several income-generating opportunities. Consu mers can be employed as mental health service providers, under certain conditions a consumer-cooperative pharmacy may be established, and so me types of housing cooperative are viable.