Advocacy
And
Mental Health
Mental Health Is A Human Right
Goals
One quater of the population of the uk experiences a mental health problem during the course of their lifetime. Around 9% of the European population experience depressive disorders in any one year[i], and yet following the diagnosis of a mental health condition, many people encounter barriers to employment, social support and other opportunities which those without a mental illness label take for granted[ii].
Justice, c.1508-20, Raphael
Advocacy services provide guidance on a wide range of issues commonly encountered by service users in the field of mental health, from treatment, money and debt, the law and rights, criminal justice issues, to help with court hearings and information for carers[iii]. The practical and ethical value of mental health advocacy was recognised in a paper published as long ago as 1952[iv].
The Independent Advocacy Campaign, in 2002, in its drive for formalised advocacy services, defined its role as: ‘taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need”[v].
It is claimed that there is robust evidence supporting advocacy and its value to those suffering from mental health conditions or learning disabilities: the key goals of advocacy have been identified as[vi]:
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To help safeguard the rights of service users
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To help safeguard rights with regard to mental health law and rights as citizens
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To empower services users to make informed decisions about their care and treatment and to take greater control over their own lives
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To support service users in voicing their opinions
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To represent the views of service users
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To protect those who are particularly vulnerable as a result of their illness
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To protect those who lack capacity to make informed decisions, or to make decisions on their behalf with their best interests in mind
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To feedback issues and success to service providers so that the system can constantly be improved
[i]Wittchen, H.U. and F. Jacobi, Size and burden of mental disorders in Europe--a critical review and appraisal of 27 studies. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, 2005. 15(4): p. 357-76.
[ii]Thornicroft, G., Shunned: Discrimination against people with mental illness. 2006, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
[iii] http://www.rethink.org/about-us/commissioning-us/advocacy
[iv] Goffman, Erving (1952), ”On cooling the mark out: Some aspects of adaptation to failure”. Psychiatry, 15 (4): 451–463.
[v] Lewington, W, and Clipson, C, “Advocating for Equality, Scope LIbrary 2004
[vi] Barnes, D., Brandon, D. and Webb, T. (2002). Independent Specialist Advocacy in England and Wales: recommendations for good practice. Durham: University of Durham.