I am a mental health professional; my credential: life experience

History is in the making in the mental health movement, with persons who live with a mental illness, are stable, and work in the mental health field as professionals (known as Consumer Providers). It is a new concept; and as with anything new, there is some resistance, some doubt about the wisdom of such a concept. With this article, I want to educate those who read it and hopefully gain enthusiasm for the growth of the Consumer Provider movement. I have lived with mental illness for many years and have only received mental health services from traditional mental health professionals; there were no Consumer Providers when I was ill. I was pleased with my services. However, I believe very strongly in the Consumer Provider movement because the same concept has been ongoing in Alcoholics Anonymous with great success. In AA settings, life-experience professionals have worked side by side with traditionally educated professionals to counsel persons with substance abuse problems. I would like to see Consumer Providers be included in all areas of mental health treatment. Today I know of Consumer Providers on PACT teams, ICMS teams, at Drop-in Centers, and on some Warm Lines. My vision is to see Consumer Providers work throughout the mental health system, including crisis teams, inpatient hospital settings, residential settings, and outpatient programs.