I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. What Is a Mental Health Advocate? How to Become an Advocate. Mental Health Advocate vs. Potential Pitfalls. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!
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The 10 Best Mental Health Books of They make sure you're heard and are called advocates. For example, they can help you: understand the care and support process talk about how you feel about your care make decisions challenge decisions about your care and support if you do not agree with them stand up for your rights They can write letters for you and attend meetings with you.
Advocates will support you during: assessments care and support planning safeguarding and reviews Advocates are independent of social services and the NHS. How your council can help Your council has to provide an advocate if you do not have family or friends to help and you have difficulty: understanding and remembering information communicating your views understanding the pros and cons of different options A paid carer cannot act as an advocate for you.
How to get an advocate Contact social services at your local council and ask about advocacy services. I wanted people who use wheelchairs to fly safely and with dignity and that is what I work towards every day. I am an advocate for true accessible air travel with no barriers. I, along with my son, became an advocate to educate, share and shine a better light.
I became an advocate because I realized as a young adult that there were times in my life where I was going to have to confront discrimination, bullying and misconceptions about my disability and at the same time be able to assert my legal rights, ask for accommodations, teach people about my disability, etc. I learned about my medical issues, how to talk to others about them and where to go for help.
I learned how to stand up to bullying. I learned how to deal with others. With those skills, I felt more comfortable being my own advocate. I came to learn about the issues my friends, fellow students and work colleagues with disabilities faced and committed myself to helping advocate for others.
People are often unaware of how to help, even after being introduced to a cause. An independent advocate should represent your wishes without judging or giving a personal opinion. You might not get the outcome you want but an advocate can make sure your voice is heard. You might want to have an advocate with you or to speak on your behalf in the following situations:.
There are different types of advocacy, ranging from self-advocacy - where you receive training to help you put your own views across - to professional advocacy.
Some independent advocates are trained specifically to communicate and work with people with dementia and other mental health problems. An advocacy service may be run by volunteers. An advocacy service should be separate from the NHS or social services.
For more information, see our factsheet: Independent advocacy. You are in charge and they need your permission to advocate your views. Your advocate should listen to the views of others your GP, carers, social worker, family but their role is to help you put your views across. Local councils must involve people in decisions about their care and support.
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