Advocacy

by Victoria E. Molta

Victoria is a Contributing Writer to Mental Health World.

The word advocate in the dictionary is defined as “one that pleads the cause of another, specifically before a tribunal or judicial court; one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal.”

Nine years ago, I enrolled in a program that educated mental health consumers and prepared them to be advocates in their communities. At the time, I had recently married and had just moved to a new city. I was feeling overwhelmed by the stress of a new life. After I was told that we had to give speeches covering topics pertaining to mental health issues in front of the class and a video camera, and be critiqued, I decided to back out of it.

After almost a decade of life experiences had passed, I was at a meeting and saw a flyer advertising upcoming classes in Advocacy Unlimited, the same program I had backed out of years before. This time, I felt ready to reapply to the program. I interviewed for a space in the program. The instructors were different; they didn’t recognize me. Several days later, I received a letter stating that I was accepted.

It is a four month program that meets once a week for eight hours. Mornings are spent listening to speakers who are experts in their fields. One week, the Associate Director of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services spoke about the structure of the Connecticut mental health system. Another week, a lawyer from Connecticut Legal Rights Project spoke about patient rights. He told us about the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with mental illness. It was begun in the late 1980's and it was the first time that every state had an external advocacy program. Advocacy Unlimited arose out of the Community Advocacy and Education Division of the Connecticut Legal Rights Project nine years ago.

Two months have passed and our group is as close as a family. Our instructor’s name is Paul and he is firm with us. He has a big heart and I truly feels he wants us to grow from this experience. My fear of public speaking has been an obstacle I am learning to overcome. Standing before a group and giving speeches has been an opportunity for me to truly evolve from a timid person who hid behind my notes and read words verbatim to someone who stands confidently before my audience conveying a message with strength and conviction. Paul emphasizes the importance of first impressions and dressing professionally. One classmate changed dramatically in one week from someone disheveled and unshaven with long, stringy hair to a well groomed, clean-shaven man with short hair. Paul’s assistant, Ray, tells us that it is important to see ourselves not as the mentally ill or mental patients, but “people with psychiatric disabilities.”

In two months, I will be an advocate at a social clubhouse or agency. Already, I have begun to be involved in advocacy work. I have testified at public court hearings to argue against mental health budget cuts. I made an appointment and met with my senator in his law office, encouraging him to vote for or against certain mental health bills. I have appeared on a local television show and radio program discussing mental health and advocacy issues.

The Advocacy Unlimited program gives back the dignity and respect that we, people with psychiatric disabilities, deserve. As advocates, we learn to first stand up for ourselves and face a world that very often stigmatizes us, misunderstands us, fears us.