Minds for Health sees mental illness as a 'hidden suffering', under-recognised in national and international health agendas,  just as it is in families and communities. Advocacy is an effective way to bring about change. You can find out more about our advocacy work, and how you can get involved, below.

Global Mental Health Advocacy Series

 

Advocacy, at community, national and international levels, is essential in securing the necessary political will and resources to meet global challenges in mental health.

MfH's global mental health advocacy series is designed to inform you and inspire you to take action. We have adopted the Movement for Global Mental Health's advocacy agenda and call for action which covers key messages in three areas: scaling-up, human rights and finances.

Each campaign page is intended as a resource-base for advocacy, including:

• Experience: examples from our partner organisations illustrating related issues    
• What we know: a summary of key information relating to the campaign.              
• What we are calling for: a summary of what we are advocating for in this area.
• What you can do: links to related campaign and advocacy actions.                     
• Further resources: links to further information, papers and websites of interest. 

You can find out more by following the links on the advocacy agenda below, or via the side-menu.

Scaling up:

Mental health problems are increasingly recognised as an important but neglected health priority in low and middle income countries. The messages here reflect a growing understanding of 'what works' for mental illness in resource-limited settings and the need to overcome barriers to scaling up essential care.

    1.   Access to mental healthcare
    2.   Social support
    3.   Human resources
    4.   Essential medicines

Human Rights

The history of neglect, exclusion and abuse of those with mental illness in many societies across the world has been described as a 'a failure of humanity'. The following messages recognise that protecting the rights of those with mental illness requires a wider 'moral transformation' in societies and populations.

     5.   Self-advocacy
     6.   Violence & discrimination
     7.   Inclusion
     8.   Awareness and understanding

Financing

Lack of dedicated resources limits the ability of low and middle income countries to meet mental health needs of their populations. These messages recognise the need for international agencies, national governments and health providers to allocate greater financial resources to mental health and the need to address broader local and global inequities.

    9.  Budgeting
   10. Wider determinants

Patient advocacy

Advocacy is an important part of mental health care, empowering patients to secure and promote their health care rights and ensuring that the most vulnerable have a voice. MfH works with its partner organisations to develop and strengthen patient advocacy locally. Follow the links below to read more:

Advocacy in Antara (West Bengal, India)

Advocacy at Luthando (Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa)