INT’L. J. SELF HELP & SELF CARE, Vol. 4(3) 221-238, 2005-2006 MEMBER CHARACTERISTICS OF CONSUMER RUN ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICE UTILIZATION PATTERNS* TODD SHAGOTT CHI VU CRYSTAL REINHART SCOTT WITUK GREG MEISSEN Wichita State University, Kansas ABSTRACT The present study examines the member characteristics of consumer-run organizations (CRO), nonprofit mutual help organizations staffed by mental health consumers. Members reported significantly higher levels of use of physical health services than psychological services. Twenty percent of members identified their CRO as their only means of psychological support. CRO members were more racially/ethnically diverse than mental health consumers in traditional settings indicating that CROs are attractive to minorities which are often underrepresented in receiving mental health services. CRO members’ social networks were heavily composed of other CRO members, with church friends and family members also well repre- sented. CRO membership may provide a social network effectively oriented toward recovery and community integration. *This research was supported through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – R34 HCP0607. 221 Ó 2009, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc. doi: 10.2190.SH.4.3.d http://baywood.com