Round Up Of The Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate
Today was the last day for the “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate” series here at Mental Health Notes.
And, if you missed it, you don’t have to scroll through the site trying to find each post - I’ve rounded them all up for you right here!
Number One: Stop Yourself And Others From Promoting Mental Health Stigma. People with any kind of illness - mental illness included - are up against a lot. Refraining from using stigmatizing words and committing actions that contribute to stigma is a great way to be a mental health advocate!
Number Two: Get Involved With Mental Health Advocacy And Research Organizations. Nationwide (and worldwide!) mental health advocacy and research programs have their stuff together, and they can help you learn about mental health and advocate for mental health awareness.
Number Three: Get Involved With Mental Health Support Groups. Support groups have been around for a looooong time. It’s because they work. If you join a support group in your area, or create one where once one never existed, you can learn more about yourself and your loved ones as well as promote mental health awareness.
Number Four: Educate Yourself And Others About Mental Health. Education is the key to…well, everything. Stigma, abuse, and bigoted thoughts and behaviors often stem from ignorance, so educate yourself about mental health and then go out and educate the world!
Number Five: Get Involved With Mental Health Politics. Band together with other mental health advocates to make our government hear us and create useful mental health legislation.
If you have any more suggestions on how to become a mental health advocate, or personal stories about how you have advocated for mental health awareness, feel free to share in the comments!
Image: SXC and Karolina K
Tags: mental health, mental health advocacy organization, mental health awareness, mental health blog, mental health education, mental health legislation, mental health politics, mental health research organization, mental health resources, mental health support groups, mental health tips, mental health website, stop stigma, ways to be a mental health advocatePOSTED IN: Government & Politics, Resources
2 opinions for Round Up Of The Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate
Cherie
Sep 12, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Love this list - what a great resource. I’m with you. I’m big on talking about verbal and emotional abuse, and as someone that comes from an alcoholic dad all his bad behaviors were “a secret.” That helped no one. I talk about my experience (and how I made it out: al anon, therapy, faith) because it is so very common.
Thanks for this blog!
Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Sep 13, 2008 at 5:50 pm
@ Cherie - It definitely is (so very common), and being open about these things helps everyone (the people dealing with the issues, others who are dealing with similar issues, and folks who could use to learn a thing or two about the issues). I’m glad you’re a “talker” like me; silence accomplishes nothing in this field.
Thanks for stopping by!
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