What is advocacy?
Advocacy is the work of organizations or individuals to protect the legal, civil, and human rights of people with disabilities such as bipolar disorder (manic depression). An advocate serves as an intercessor, speaking on someone else's behalf to ensure against discrimination and loss of rights. Found here are resources relating to advocacy organizations.
Mental Health Parity
Parity in the broadest definition of the word simply means equality; two items having equivalent value or status. When the term parity is applied to health insurance, all simplicity is lost.
Abusive Treatment? Don't Tolerate It!
When my mother died a couple of years ago, she appointed my niece to be my legal payee. My niece has now become extremely abusive towards me. How can my bipolar depression get any better when I am constantly under stress and pressure from my family? What can I do? Answer ... You need an advocate.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national legal advocate for people with mental disabilities. Through precedent-setting litigation and in the public policy arena, the Bazelon Center works to advance and preserve the rights of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.
Families USA
Families USA is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Working at the national, state, and community levels, we have earned a national reputation as an effective voice for health care consumers for over 20 years.
Mental Disability Rights International
MDRI promotes international oversight of the rights of people with mental disabilities. Drawing on the skills of attorneys, mental health professionals, human rights advocates, people with mental disabilities and family members, MDRI trains advocates seeking legal and service system reform and assists governments to develop laws and policies.
Mental Health Bill of Rights
On February 20, 1997, the leaders of nine allied health organizations representing more than 600,000 health and mental health professionals issued a "Bill of Rights" to protect individuals seeking treatment for mental illnesses and psychological substance use disorders.
Make your voice heard…..Advocate!
