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Mental Health Advocacy
Do you...
sometimes find it difficult to say what you mean when dealing with professionals or agencies
Do you...
sometimes find it difficult to take in all that has been said to you, or need some aspects of the information explained to you?
Do you...
simply want someone to speak up for you when you find you cannot do this for yourself?
Advocacy means to help somone speak up for themselves. It is about trying to make things change because your voice has been listened to. It is about making sure that people can have their own choices.
An advocate will help you try to make things change or happenand can try to help you make your own choices and take control of the situation. An advocate will work alongside you to ensure that you are treated equally and will help you say what you want to say and ensure that your voice is listened to and answers given.
We may need an advocate because we are not feeling at our most confident, or may be faced with life-changing decisions. Perhaps we don't know enough about the situation that presents itself or what our choices may be. It may be that we are simply not being listened to or are not receiving the answers to our questions.
At times like this it can help to have an advocate, someone to help us understand information, attend meetings or proceedings with us, look at the choices we have and be there with us when we want to speak and be listened to.
An advocate does not mediate in a disupute or make decisions for you. They do not take control away from you or try to persuade you against your way of thinking.
At all times in advocacy, the client is always the centre of attention. It is about what the client wants and finding ways of putting that across to the people who need to know. Your advocate will work with you through the problem until it is resolved.
People with mental health problems can be isolated and feel that their veiws don't count. They may sometimes be unable to communicate their views because of the situation they are in Advocacy can enable a person's voice to be heard; it is a way of empowering people. It helps them express their personal views and needs.
An Advocate will:
- listen to what you have to say
- provide information
- support you to represent yourself
- attend meetings with you such as Ward Rounds, CPA (Care Programme Approach) Reviews, Social Services Assessments, Mental Health Act Tribunals.
- Accompany you to court
- contact appropriate agencies
- help you to access services
An Advocate will not
- tell you what you ought to do
- give advice or counselling
- act without your prmission
- take the place of other services
Wigan Family Welfare offer a free, independent and confidential advocacy service to people with mental health problems, both in hospital and in the community. We take referrals from patients themselves, ward staff, social workers, family/carers. The service we offer is wide ranging, it covers issues such as housing, care and treatment, accessing services, support at meetings and ward rounds signposting to other appropriate agencies as well as other more complex issues. If you feel you could benefit from having an independent advocate to enble you to have your voice heard, please contact us on 01942 867888.