Consumer Survivor Development Project (CSDP)
P EOPLE IN P ROGRESS
Vol.1, Issue 1
Summer
2003
INSIDE:
2. Sharing discoveries
3. Questions to ask
your psychiatrist
4.
In good company
A CSDP Interview with
Ian Chovil
A Consumer’s perspective
Ian Chovil on recovery
In March of this year, the Consumer/
Survivor Development Project (CSDP)
hosted two events with guest speaker
Ian Chovil in Hanover and Owen
Sound. Between the two presenta-
tions, Ian joined Jim Lonie from the
Project to ask a few questions for the
purpose of this newsletter article.
Here is what Ian shared…
Question:
Recovery is a concept that was intro-
duced in the lay writings of consumers
beginning in the 1980’s. It was in-
spired by consumers who had them-
selves recovered to the extent that
they were able to write and speak pub-
licly about their experiences of coping
with symptoms, getting better and
gaining personal identity. What is
your concept of recovery and how does
it fit into the work you are presently
doing?
Ian: My awareness of recovery includes the
ability to be an active and contributing
member of my community. It is having
your basic needs met. I have been homeless
and I know what that is like.
Question: Has medication played a
role in your recovery?
Ian: Yes, very much so. Each year has been
better than the next. Medication has been
the foundation of my recovery.
Question:
There has been some suggestion that
the entire mental health system is in
its own process of recovery. If there
were one area in mental health that
you could influence at the systemic
level what would it be?
Ian: Opportunities for people to make
more contributions to their communities,
having more part-time jobs available to
people as well as more First Episode
Psychosis Programs.
Question:
Who have been your mentors or
sources of inspiration in recovery?
Ian: I have no mentors per se, but some
people who have been helpful to me in my
journey have been Mr. Bill McPhee, Dr.