People working together for a common cause is the only thing that has brought about a change in any large system.

An advocate is someone who pleads the cause of another.

1. Gets beyond the stigma, guilt, and burn-out of coping with the illness
2. Works with others in an organised way
3. Cares about more than just this situation (e.g. he advocates for better care at a hospital even though his mentally ill relative has never used hospitals)
4. Believes that he can make a difference, rather than waiting for someone else to do something else that will improve the mental health system

We are all needed and we are all important

There are many ways to participate as advocates for the mentally ill. Those who do not feel comfortable in the limelight can do informal advocacy, or assist others as research and backup.

No one is going to improve the world of the mentally ill unless we do it. We cannot do it by simply complaining, and expecting the system to respond.

Almost every tangible improvement for the mentally ill has come about as a result of the advocacy and action by the families of the mentally ill.

The well members must seize the initiative to reform the system, to demand its accountability to their loved ones and to demonstrate that serious mental illnesses are authentic physical diseases.

That is why advocacy is part of our work, part of our lives, and the essential part of making a better world for the people we love.

Millions of pounds have been spent to deinstitutionalise the mental health system, and return the patients to the community. Yet, conditions are worse for the mentally ill today.

Stigma

Why is this so?  Those with heart disease, diabetes, arthritis or cancer would not tolerate this degree of negligence when seeking help for their medical problems.

The reason is stigma, defined as a mark of disgrace or dishonour. The stigma in our culture is particularly severe and carries with it a particularly heartless social judgment.  In this case of people whose conditions are considered so fearful and repugnant that they are judged to deserve their fate. 

Having a disordered or deranged mind is regarded as a mark of shame that charities and good works have been unable to overcome the forces of ignorance, prejudice and neglect.

Stigma also profoundly affects families.  When we think about the affect of stigma on the mentally ill, we can see that it is the source of much of their life distress.  It accounts for a lot of denial and frustration, unrealistic expectations for immediate recovery, guilt, embarrassment and pain.  Families, along with patients often become the targets of ostracism, blame, isolation and avoidance.

When families or caregivers buy into silence and shame it reaffirms the negative opinions of everyone around them and leads to further isolation and despair.