Definition
Individual advocacy includes services that seek to represent the rights and interests of people with a mental illness, on a one-to-one basis, by addressing instances of discrimination, abuse and neglect.
Individual advocates work with people with mental illness on either a short-term or issue-specific basis.
Individual advocates:
- work with people with mental illness requiring one-to-one advocacy support
- develop a plan of action (sometimes called an individual advocacy plan), in partnership with the person with a mental illness, that maps out clearly defined goals
- educate people with mental illness about their rights
- work through the individual advocacy plan in partnership with the person with a mental illness (FaHCSIA 2012).
Comments
Guide for use:
Distinguishing features:
- One-on-one services
- Primary service provided is advocacy
- Development of a plan of action
- Educate people with a mental illness about their rights
- Individual advocacy
- Legal advocacy
- Systemic advocacy (these are reported under Sector development and representation)
- Individual advocacy in the context of delivery of other mental health support services to the consumer
Example services:
- Mental Health Advocacy Service, New South Wales
- Mental Health Legal Centre, Victoria
- Mental Health Law Centre, Western Australia
Mental health non-government organisation establishments service type taxonomy.
References
Related content
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