not to sound like a marxist or anything, but i think some reluctance is to be expected, because...work is such a big part of life for most people. i think maybe its not as deeply drilled into people in, say, parts of Western Europe (maybe?), but...I think especially in the US, and probably a bit more for men than for women, work=big part of identity, part of life, etc. not that it doesn't for women, its just...i think its still, even now, a part of the US male gender training...WORK, damnit!

some people find paid employment within the mental health realm, after dealing with 'the system.' peer support, patient advocates...are sometimes compensated. it really depends on how 'progressive' the mental health system in your area is, it seems. some places are very conservative, bio-reductionist...i doubt there'd be much hope for any sort of paid position in that environment. in other places, there's an increasing emphasis on applying the bio-psycho-social model, so those still in treatment can often at least volunteer, sometimes do paid work, in the 'psycho-' and/or 'social' components.

just random thoughts. i hope you can find a solution that meets your needs and doesn't create further (or different) problems. :-)