Since its inception Mental Health Ireland has been an advocate for people experiencing mental ill health. While continuing to actively advocate for appropriate policy and services for people experiencing mental illness, the organisation recognises that many people experiencing mental illness are perfectly well able to speak for themselves. In this context our work in the area of advocacy is twofold as outlined below.

 

1. Campaigning

By campaigning we mean advocacy on behalf of the general population of people with a mental health problem and sometimes families, taking an interest and exerting pressure where necessary in the fields of legislation and policies relating to provision of services, employment, housing, general welfare etc.

 

2. Advocacy

Mental Health Ireland defines its role as an advocate as being one where local Mental Health Associations should be “a voice on behalf of persons with a mental illness”. Being an effective voice ranges from advising on and defending the rights of a particular individual to, on a broader level influencing the planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services. The broader level advocacy is being met through the establishment of regional committees to meet on a regular basis with service providers.

The Irish Advocacy Network

The Irish Advocacy Network provides a peer advocacy service.

www.irishadvocacynetwork.com

 

Citizens Information Board

Citizens Information Board also provide a range of advocacy services and training.

www.citizensinformationboard.ie

 

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