The Business of Recovery

News of legal, legislative, and organizational importance to recovery rights organizations

Husband and Wife Turn Depression into Dollars

Carl Blumenthal and Susan Palm are husband and wife. Shortly after they met 10 years ago, Carl went into the hospital due to a major depression. That’s when Susan told him that she had suffered from depression all her life. Being together has helped them live happier, healthier, and more productive lives.

After 25 years as a freelance textile designer, Susan recently made a career change. Always an avid gardener, she took courses at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Workshop in Business Organization (WIBO). She also joined a training program for mental health consumers who want to own businesses, offered by the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC). Called LAUNCH, the program offers one-on-one counseling, networking, development of business plans, assistance with financing, and opportunities to sell products at trade shows.

Susan’s business plan for Kensington Gardens won an award from the Brooklyn Business Library. She specializes in gardens for terraces and other small spaces, and she employs consumers trained in horticulture at Greenworks, a program at the Ft. Hamilton clinic of South Beach Psychiatric Center.

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About The Business of Recovery
For people living with mental illness, as for every other group in American society which has faced massive discrimination, economic achievement is the key which will open other doors. Opportunities in housing, education and health care will all be there for those with the means to pay. The Verrazano Foundation is committed to promoting and publicizing the achievements of those who are overcoming barriers as well as news of strategies which promote economic success for people living with mental illness.

If you are living with mental illness and have overcome the barriers to success in business or the professions, we would love to publish a profile of your career. If you successfully operating your own business, a profile could be a great way to publicize your products and services.

If you're interested or have other ideas which you think might fit this page, email us at: business@verrazanofoundation.org

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