Facts About Mental Health Advocacy Colorado

By Minnie Whitley


Mental health advocacy is inclusive of various actions that are aimed at bringing a change to the main structural and attitudinal obstacles to achieving outcomes of mental health that are positive. It is a relatively new concept that was developed initially for the purpose of reducing stigma and discrimination. It was also meant to promote human rights of persons that have such disorders. When considering the concept of mental health advocacy Colorado residents have many details to learn.

Within the last about 30 years, the rights and needs of persons that have such disorders have been better defined. Consequently, consumers and families alike have come up with organizations so that their voices are more defined. After some time, they were joined by more NGOs, health worker associations and governments. With time, the concept became broad to include persons with less severe disorders and the various needs of the general population.

There are several actions that are associated with these support services. Examples of these are training, dissemination of information, education, counseling, raising awareness, mutual help and denouncing. Despite these actions, there still are barriers that are associated with implementation of some actions. There are sections of the world where mental disorders have not been treated with the same seriousness as physical health. Instead, such people with these conditions have been ignored massively.

The overall number of people with this condition and who still receive the most basic treatment is very less. The majority of them are normally discriminated against and stigmatized. Most communities are faced with various factors that present risks to mental health. Among the experienced barriers are lack of employment and housing, stigma and lack of effective health services.

As a result of stigma, people become deeply compromised socially and are also discredited. A good number of the people with serious conditions often look different as a result of the side effects. Some of the common misconceptions include the assumption that they are lazy, not reliable, worthless, irresponsible and with no conscience. Other people also think they are unsafe to be with, are incompetent when it comes to marriage and are stupid. It is these that result in stigmatization.

There have been various barriers on the way of advocacy but these have not prevented the achievement of positive outcomes. Science is yet to give proof that such support enhances mental health. Nevertheless, there have been reports of encouraging progress in many countries. Some of the improvements include placement of such matters in the agenda of governments, protecting rights of such people and making relevant changes to laws to accommodate those affected.

In many countries such support has brought about changes in the ways that people with such disorders are regarded. Consumers are able to articulate their own vision of service they want or need. Further, they are increasingly making informed decisions as concerns treatment as well as other issues affecting their daily lives.

On a general basis, consumers and families have various roles in advocacy. Some of these include development, planning, implementing and improving legislations and also coming up with the right policies. Moreover, they mediate, counsel and defend consumers.




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