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Cracks, Holes, and Spaces: Finding a Place for Community
Economic Development Within the Mental Health System
by Lisa M. Colizza
This paper discusses Community Economic Development for
psychiatric consumers within the context of current rehabilitation practice
models utilized by structured mental health services. Based on a critical
review of the literature and through examination of a case example (the
"Daily Grind", a coffee cart service), an argument is made that
the mental health system has the capacity to foster and support Community
Economic Development to create unique opportunities that positively affect
the social and economic lives of its consumers that current vocational
rehabilitation approaches cannot. This does not imply that CED, as it
exists outside of the system, can be born or replicated within the system.
Rather, that elements of it and processes can be rooted within rehabilitation
services and supported to set the consumer on a better course of recovery.
This includes improved opportunities for work through viable connections
to CED initiatives such as consumer-run businesses in the community.
E-Mail: lmcolizza@aol.com
Hamilton, Ontario
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