Exploring Advocacy and Self-Advocacy in Mental Health: Assignment

This assignment delves into the multifaceted realm of mental health advocacy. It begins by identifying key issues raised by the World Health Organization (WHO) relevant to mental health, such as anxiety and mood disorders, and then emphasizes the importance of advocacy for individuals with mental health conditions. The assignment explores self-advocacy, defining it as the ability to speak for oneself, and discusses its significance in decision-making and asserting rights. It also examines group advocacy, its advantages, and the role of group leaders. The assignment outlines the process of identifying advocacy issues and provides examples of strategic questioning and various questioning techniques. Furthermore, it explores the historical context of advocacy within the civil rights movement, mandatory reporting, and the concept of dignity of risk. Consumer rights, privacy principles, and potential breaches are also discussed. The assignment concludes by outlining processes to address issues, suggesting questions to identify and understand issues, and comparing advocacy with negotiation, mediation, facilitation, and conciliation.

Promote and facilitate
self-advocacy

1. Identify five (5) issues raised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) relevant to mental
health advocacy
 Anxiety disorders
 Mood disorders
 Schizophrenia and Psychotic disorders
 Dementia
 Eating disorders
2. List four (4) reasons advocacy is important for people with mental health
 Enhancing access and effective use of Psychotropic medicines.
 Helps in analysing and identifying the issues.
 Helpful in knowing whole system and behaviour of health care system as it helps in local
decision makers.
 Helpful in focusing on the severity and other prominent experience.
3. In your own word explain your understanding of self advocacy?
Self advocacy refers to the ability that leads speak for an individual itself considering
various things which is important for the health factor of an individual. Moreover, self-advocacy
prominently asks regarding the requirements and wants and also leads to tell people regarding
their thoughts and ideas and represent prominent feelings. Self-advocacy also reflects regarding
the rights and duties as it shows the prominent right to speak-up and also represent the ability in
terms of making effective choices for the decision that affect life (Wehmeyer and Shogren,
2017). Along with this, the objective of self advocacy is the effective and better mental health of
a person and also useful in deciding about wants and develop proper plan which is useful in
making things more clear. In terms of this, self-advocacy is important as it helps in deciding
regarding the want and what is possible in order to fulfil the significant expectations. Along with
this, effective self-advocacy skills helps in have more control and make prominent decisions
about the best things. Self-advocacy is useful in empowering the abilities of an individual and
also speaks up in order to make better and effective decisions for life. Along with this, it is useful
in listening, being assessed, making significant complaint and helps in developing or reviewing a
care plan.
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4. Group Advocacy
a) What is group advocacy?
Advocacy group refers to the special interest groups by having various forms of advocacy
in terms of influencing the public opinion and policy as well. Furthermore, it is also significant
for the role of development of political and social systems. Along with this, it leads to include
the members who can share common political, economical and social interest and also try to
advance their interest for the political process (Cook, 2017). Along with this, these groups lead to
influence the power of spreading awareness among people regarding the mental health and also
making them more efficient to analyse it by their own.
b) Discuss the advantages of group advocacy?
The prominent benefit of group advocacy reflects working with others in terms of
achieving their goals and objective. Moreover, it also leads to describe various voices for
advocating on the same issue which is more effective instead of advocating by own. Moreover, it
is also useful in allowing people to share their workload as it leads to represent the advocacy
efforts and also become the part of group in terms of offering work by having proper support and
motivation in terms of continue to the efforts.
c) How can having a group leader be helpful when conducting group advocacy?
Advocacy reflects the proper support for the cause or problem in terms of bringing changes
for the effective help of others. An individual need to advocate and support the problem in terms
of favouring an issuing. In terms of this, problem with people can be more specific and in terms
of this, it more effective to have significant leader by guiding and offering instructions to
individuals that bring change in society.
5. Outline the process an individual or group will follow to identify an issue for self-advocacy.
Self advocacy is important as it leads to enable people to understand their strengths and
weaknesses in order become successful and also communicate to other people as well. In terms
of this, it also classified into few elements that are:
 Understand the particular requirements which are the significant part of self awareness.
 Knowing about the proper help and support that leads to address the prominent needs
including classroom accommodations and tutoring.
 Communicating proper requirements and need with instructors and others.
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6. Do you think the question asked by the questioner to the group represents a good example of
strategic questioning? Circle yes/no. Explain the reasons for your answer.
Yes, it is important for the questioner to understand that petition is important in terms of
spreading awareness to many people as it is quite effective for the strategic planning and doing
something more worthy which is useful in achieving significant aims and objectives for the
mental health and leads to improve the effectiveness of an individual (Michael and Zidan, 2018).
Furthermore, mental health is sort of most neglected issues and for this, it is important to spread
awareness regarding the effective questioning and spreading awareness among people to support
mental health.
7. Provide one (1) example for the following questioning techniques used to clarify an advocacy
issue.
 Focus question: Tell me about the goals which an individual have in place of its
department?
 Observation question: Making the statement for the proficiency in terms of watching
them several times.
 Feelings question: Are you a positive or negative person?
 Visioning questions: Are the changes which I believe for the success are effective for
career development?
 Change question: How can you explain to team members in terms of implementing
change process for their betterment?
 Alternative questions: Will you purchase a house or rent somewhere?
 Personal inventory and support questions: If you were asked to have some good friends
then how would you describe the prominent social skills?
 Personal action questions: What unexpected opportunities for growth arose from the
battle?
8. Explain how the history of the civil rights movement encompasses the philosophies of
advocacy and self-advocacy.
The self-advocacy movement started in Sweden in 1960s and people with intellectual
disabilities tends to support to form and lead their own leisure club. Moreover, in 1991 the
efforts of advocates led towards the national organisations termed as self advocates being
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empowered which leads to govern by the steering committee in terms of making up 16 self
advocate representatives from the country.
9. Mandatory reporting
a) List four (4) notifiable incidents that must be reported under mandatory reporting law.
 Unlawful sexual contact with patient by the staff member.
 Patient is harmed by the any unreasonable use for the force which is used by staff
member for the mental health service.
 Attempted suicide.
 Assault and aggression for the mental health service premises.
b) When should a notifiable incident be reported and to whom do you report to?
Various types of incidents include various types of incidents include an event that has the
potential to injury or damage an individual that leads to lose their control. In terms of this it is
noticeable to the health and safety team and also provides proper support to the injured person.
Along with this, it also leads to retain records of the notifiable incidents.
10. Dignity of risk
a) What is dignity of risk?
Dignity of risk defines the concept of supporting and individual for their right it and take
reasonable risk of their rights that can suffocate their personal growth self-esteem and their
quality life (French, 2017). It also needs to describe the reaction of operating safeguard and
witness care living that diminishes self esteem of an individual.
b) Provide two (2) reasons mental health professionals can be reluctant to allow individuals the
right to dignity of risk/self-determination?
 Dignity of risk leads to acknowledge the personal living and experience that come along
with risk and need proper support to overcome and face it.
 As when the older adult hospitalized then instinct need to protect them and support
throughout the recovery in order to avoid all the risk to feel them safe.
11. List four (4) rights of consumers with mental health.
 Always aware about the treatment options and their levels of effectiveness for the hope
and encouragement.
 Get treatment which is responsive to the culture.
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 Lodge of complaints.
 Always treated with respect and set own priorities.
12. Identify the Australian Privacy Principles that outline the requirements for the collection, use
and disclosure of information?
There are around 13 Australian Privacy Principles that regulate in terms of handling
personal information by the government agencies and other private sector organizations. They
also lead to set minimum standards for the privacy that organizations in terms of covering whole
information for the collection of information and also use it very well.
13. Provide three (3) examples to describe a breach or infringement of consumer’s rights.
 Does not give them proper time to take their decisions.
 Treatment information does not provide them properly or on time.
 Never engage them in their recovery plan.
14. List three (3) reasons when self advocacy would not be an appropriate pathway to address an
issue.
 An individual does not have proper skills or time in terms of acting on their own behalf.
 They do not get proper resource and effective power to effect changes.
 They are not mentally strong to represent themselves.
15. How is information documented if an individual or group decide to pursue self advocacy?
List the type of information to be recorded?
The prominent information is documented on the basis of self advocacy, values and beliefs
which are considered as the significant skills. For this self advocacy need proper internal belief
who is worthy for mental health. In relation with this prominent information is required to record
include background age factor personality and perspective of an individual.
16. A consumer has told you they would like to change an issue in their life.
a) Define the processes to reach a clear understanding of the issue.
Many people face various types of problem and issues regarding their life and does not
share it properly that leads to generate stress and tension in their mind. In terms of this the role of
instincts is to understand and analyse the perspective of victim and tried to communicate with
them regarding the issues (Sniatecki, Pelz and Gates, 2018).
b) List seven (7) questions you could ask to assist with identifying and understanding the issue.
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 Tell me about the sleeping pattern?
 Have you ever experienced fear anxiety or panic?
 Do you feel discomfort around people that bother you?
 Tell me how supported you feel surrounded by your friends and family?
 Discuss about your recent relationship?
 Tell me about the important activities in which you are currently involved?
 Tell me about the confidence level and recent capabilities?
c) Outline five (5) options to assist the individual/group to achieve understanding of the issue.
 Support their development.
 Develop mental health promotional activities.
 Mental health interventions at the workplace.
 Promote anti discrimination laws and campaigns.
 Promote rights and opportunities to care of individuals with mental disorders.
17. Differences between advocacy and self advocacy, negotiation, mediation, facilitation and
conciliation
Column 1 Column 2
Conflict resolution Is often used in disputes to identify a right that’s been breached and find
the optimal solution. The person doing this is often an authority figure
who can even give guidance on settlement proposals and strategies
Negotiation Involves resolving a conflict, dispute or controversy by using an
independent person to help two parties who are in conflict to come to an
agreement or settlement. The person doing this assists the parties to
identify their needs, priorities and concerns; then assists them to reach a
mutually satisfactory agreement.
mediation Is a dialogue between two parties or individuals attempting to resolve an
issue or determine agreement on matter them-selves? It can involve
bargaining and compromise as they attempt to agree on a mutually
acceptable position or solution.
self advocacy “This is the ability to speak-up for yourself and the things that are
important to you. It means you know and speak-up for your rights, and
you are able to make choices and decisions that affect your life. The goal is
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for YOU to decide what you want then develop and carry out a plan to help
you get it.
Team work Is the act of making something easier? It is the process of leading, helping
or enabling a group to identify, plan and work toward their common
objectives The person doing this uses advanced communication and group
management skills; and focuses on developing processes and activities that
allow people to work together to achieve their desired aims and to solve
problems.
18. Stigma
Stigma is a disgraceful mark which distinguishes a individual from others (Cary and
McCurdy, 2019). They are no longer used as a person but as portion of a stereotyped group
whenever a person is labeled by ones illness.
Stigma may have an influence on many aspects of human life. Even a slight episode of
mental disease can have far-reaching consequences on well-being, disrupting jobs, families,
marriages and social activities, influencing not only patients ' health and well-being, and also
their family and friends. It may manifest in further psychological disorders such as anxiety and
insomnia. Stigma may be a deterrent to obtaining early treatment; individuals will still not
receive medical attention before their problems are severe. Others disengage or avoid taking
drugs from programs or medical treatments, both of which can induce relapse and hinder
rehabilitation.
Stigma becomes the barrier for the self advocacy because it will reduce the individual
confidence which enable them to speak confidently (Collins and Wolter, 2018). It makes people
different who have negative thoughts for their surroundings.
19. Why do you think the consumer has made the decision to discontinue with her counselling?
Consumer wants to discontinue counselling because they think that, it will no longer
beneficial or improve their mental health. Consumer needs that person who can make them
comfortable and ensure that they can resolve the issues which individual have.
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20. Provide one (1) strategy to support the consumer to make a suitable decision to meet her
preferences and needs with counselling
Customer initially needs to understand that what they actually need and with whom they
are comfortable such as men or women. There are several types of doctors who are specialist in
specific issues. Individual should start their counselling session for certain period and if it will
not work then they need to find another one share their previous experience as well.
21. What is a self-advocacy argument and why should they be developed?
Self-advocacy is the interest in understanding individual's desires and express them to
others (Collins and Wolter, 2019). Students who actually speak for themselves have a significant
skill that encourages lifelong achievement. Tools to help the child develop the ability to
understand their desires and express their needs to others.
22. Self-advocacy
Three reasons:
 Talking with their child regarding their strengths & weaknesses to build confidence
 Ongoing conversation which include the different thinking and learning process
 Remind their child that taking help is good because it helps in preventing depression.
Eights steps:
 Start early
 Encourage self awareness
 Stay positive
 Support critical thinking
 Engage in problem solving
 Promote self advocacy
 Required involvement
 Plan for the future
Brief description of each of the steps:
 Start early: Small children also fear that teachers don't want children reminding them
about housing, or answering too many queries. Confidently tell the child about teacher's
values, active learners, and are willing to support all students whatever their learning
style might be.
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 Encourage self awareness: It will start from the elementary school where children learn
through different programs and increase self awareness.
 Stay positive: Child always sensitive and mostly about their academic results, so patents
and teachers need to make children and students positive about their results.
 Support critical thinking: Encourage their child to think critically about their each
strengths and weaknesses.
 Engage in problem solving: Involve the child into healthy discussion and try to make
them able to measure the behaviour of teachers in good or bad ways.
 Promote self advocacy: Encourage their child towards self advocacy or make them able
to speak up and ask what they want and what actually they feel.
 Required involvement: Parents should encourage their child to take participation in the
school and other learning process for their better development.
 Plan for the future: Child need to think and prepare plan for their future which helps in
providing self advocacy in early stage and clear about their future plans.
23. Select one (1) method an individual could use to practice self-advocacy and discusswhat is
involved in this method to assist with development of self advocacy skills?
Talking with their child about their strengths and weakness is the best strategy to practice
self advocacy and in this process child and its parents involves, who helps in developing self
advocacy skills. Children will feel free to talk about their issues and parents also helps them or
encourage them to take appreciate step to resolve their issues.
24. Information is an important resource for people who want to conduct self-advocacy. Provide
five (5) sources information an individual can access about the issue they are advocating
about?
Five sources of information:
 Oral source of information
 Written source of information
 Facial expression
 Visual ways to share information
 Through listing
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25. What could you suggest to Shelia to assist her prepare for the meeting?
Initially Shelia needs to remove all the negative thoughts that what people think about
them and how they all react (Garner and Sandow, 2018). She will only needs to remember that,
this program help their children and her as well for better development and a new experience of
fun. Shelia get the opportunity to share their case at meeting and make people aware about the
Shelia’s condition which cause her in depression and what actions make her free from that
mental illness.
26. What information would you provide to Sheila to document the follow up phone call?
Respite services provided to the Shelia and their three children after submitting application
form along with necessary documents. In order to get phone call, she need to provide their
identify proof along with their children; she was suffered from the depression so they need to
show their medical reports and from where she was taking treatment as well. I will assist them
into downloading application form and what documents required along with it for the final
submission.
27. Self-advocacy
Being willing to speak for your-self enhances the capacity to weigh alternatives and make
decisions which will affect individual’s future. This, in effect, leads to good outcomes in the
Information and Employability courses for graduates. Students need to know techniques to
overcome challenges and set objectives (Koneru, 2018). Self advocacy aims to ensure that more
people in society can: make their voices heard on things that matter to them. Secure their
interests, and encourage them. Having their thoughts and desires truly taken into account when
taking choices for their lives.
Five questions:
 Charity of purpose
 Safeguard
 Confidentiality
 Equity & diversity
 Empowerment
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