Independent living centres: an innovation with mental health implications?

The findings of a national study of Independent Living Centres (ILCs) in Canada suggest that the ILCs are a potentially powerful innovation for the consumer/survivor movement. Independent Living Centres are non-profit, cross-disability, consumer-driven, community-based centres which promote both individual empowerment and community change. The IL and mental health reform paradigms share in the development of empowerment theory, acknowledge the importance of consumer driven organizations, and utilize a socio-political analysis of disability which goes beyond the person and recognizes the environment as problematic. Accordingly, the reform paradigm seeks innovative services which are separate from the traditional mental health system. Before this can fully become a reality, mental health professionals need to increase their knowledge of the IL philosophy and ILC practice. Similarly, ILCs need to increase their knowledge of consumer/survivor empowerment and recovery and carefully assess any barriers that exist in terms of consumers/survivors accessing the ILCs. Collaboration between the IL movement and mental health will increase the likelihood of ILCs becoming a stronger resource for consumers/survivors.