Advocacy Training

Unfortunately, when someone has a lived experience of mental ill health their opinions, wishes, and choices can get lost or not taken seriously. Also, medical professionals can often miss the importance of what a person with lived experience of mental ill health says, believing they know what is best for their patient. These can have a direct effect on the person’s mental illness and state of mind, as well as treatments being prescribed or acted out that the person with lived experience of mental ill health does not want or need.

An advocate is someone who helps support another person to express their views and wishes, allowing that person’s voice to be heard. Within the context of this guide, an advocate is either the person with lived experience of mental ill health or is someone who is acting on behalf of someone with lived experience of mental ill health, in regards of asking for or exploring the possibility of receiving dual therapy (medication alongside talking therapies).