Topic Tuesday // Tools for Advocacy // Tues 19th October, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Yes @Daisydreamer Please

We have gone forward soo well but yes to know when and what the next step to take to the next level

Agree @Daisydreamer self-stigma is such a big barrier to self-advocacy. I know even when I was a very experienced advocate there was still some parts of my story I would not share, no matter what the setting: self advocacy - systemic advocacy - whatever. I just felt so much shame.

But it's kind of funny how hearing others advocate made me find the courage to tell my story and how I feel like I can now pay that forward and be that person for someone else.

Our stories and perspectives are so powerful and like @BPDSurvivor said earlier, we can make massive change! And even if we change the mind of one person that is also a huge win!

So true, @BPDSurvivor. Empowerment is so core to recovery and by "doing with" instead of "doing for", we can provide space for the people we are supporting to share their voice

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@Former-Member wrote:

Communicating out story and our mindset is difficult @chibam

I approach things from quite a narrative and storytelling perspective when I advocate. I might use metaphors and song lyrcs and things that people already relate to or understand to try and communicate the ways my brain works differently.

It definitley takes getting creative and some practice.

For what's worth, I think you have a wonderful communication style.

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Thanks, @Former-Member (I assume that post was for me?) (Edit: Lol. When I started typing this reply, the tag for my name wasn't there. )

I try to communicate with these styles, too - particularly metaphores. But I guess what frustrates me is that I can never really know if I've communicated effectively for the recipients. Was I actually understood, or did they only read gobbledygook?

Often the final outcomes suggest that I wasn't. (e.g. an overall lingering principal that suicide is "the big, bad thing" that just be prevented at all costs)

NanaStasia @Anastasia ,

Have you had experience of NDIS reviews facilitated by people with lived experience or is it usually just anyone?

Question 5. What are some top tips for systemic advocacy? @Daisydreamer

For the community, what has worked for you?

Ohh I love that @Daisydreamer , @BPDSurvivor

By doing with instead of doing for xx

@chibam , I use a lot of metaphors too. Thank God I have a good match of a psychologist who gets me. Others will look at me like I've got 3 heads LOL.

Question 5. What are some top tips for systemic advocacy?

Systemic advocacy can be really rewarding. In my experience, becoming a representative and building my systemic advocacy skills helped me to make meaning and purpose of my experience, and put these learnings into my role to help improve mental health services for others.

A key difference between self advocacy and systemic advocacy, is that systemic advocacy often means representing a wider group of people. For example, if you are the lived experience representative on a committee for a mental health service, you are the voice representing all people who come to that service. As such, there are some additional skills you might need to develop.

Question 5. What are some top tips for systemic advocacy?

Top tips for systemic advocacy:

1. Connect and network: To represent the needs of others, you will need to be connected to others. One way to connect is to get in contact with peak bodies, representative services or lived experience networks. Here are a few:
   
   
2. Get involved in existing representative opportunities or start your own: There are lots of ways to get involved and advocate systemically. You can join consultations, join a committee, or start your own initiative.
   
   
3. Know the current policies that impact mental health services: Reading policy documents is not everyone’s cup of tea, but they will be your best friend! They contain really important information to help you strengthen your advocacy by backing it up with commitments and direction governments and peak bodies are taking. For example, the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health Services produced a list of recommendations for action, and these can be referenced for future initiatives. The Fifth National Mental Health Plan, and local/state based Strategic Plans all contain actions and recommendations committed to by governments. Policy and Strategy can be evidence to support your advocacy