Advocacy

Benefits of Public Figures Talking About Mental Health Issues

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While it’s nothing new for celebrities, athletes, and influencers to talk about deeply personal details of their lives, there has certainly been more open discussion in recent years by public figures of their mental health challenges. It’s not uncommon for mental health issues to be headline news. Recent examples include gymnast Simone Biles withdrawing from Olympic competition to focus on her mental health, Prince Harry discussing his struggles with anxiety, or the suicide of country singer Naomi Judd. In an …

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10 Ways to Help Others Navigate the Health Care System

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I’ve been reading a great book called “Improving Healthcare Through Advocacy: A Guide for the Health and Helping Professions” by Bruce S. Jansson, a Professor of Social Policy and Administration at the University of Southern California. Jansson talks about the many barriers that people can face in trying to access care for physical and mental health conditions. He also outlines several ways in which you can serve as an advocate to help empower others to more easily navigate the often …

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Raising Voice and Awareness of Inequity and Injustice

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Advocacy Spotlight: Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais This is the first in an occasional series of posts in which I’ll be interviewing incredible advocates about how they view advocacy and some of their current advocacy priorities. I can think of no better person to feature for this first interview than psychologist and humanitarian Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais. Here’s our conversation. How do you define advocacy? Advocacy is the means by which people raise voice and awareness of inequity and …

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Combating Misinformation in Political Media

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Like many others, I’ve been both fascinated and exhausted by the recent political campaigns and elections here in the United States. As I reflect on the past several months, I want to share a few thoughts and observations, which are characterized by a wide array of mixed emotions. I’ll try to keep my remarks as objective as possible, in hopes of having readers from both sides of the aisle hear what I have to say. First, I’m happy and pleased …

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October Mental Health Awareness Events

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The month of October may be best known for Halloween, but there are also several great mental health awareness events during the month that you should know about. Here’s a quick rundown of these October awareness events, with links so you can learn more and get involved. Mental Illness Awareness Week Established by the US Congress in recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), this event occurs every year during the first full week of October. …

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Civic Engagement for People with Mental Health Challenges

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I’ve written a lot about different ways to get involved in advocacy, particularly mental health advocacy. So I was intrigued when I recently came across a resource called “Mental Health and Wellness Through Civic Participation: Why Your Opinion Matters.” This guide, published by the Temple University Collaborative On Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities, discusses several ways for people with mental health challenges to get involved in civic engagement and it outlines the significant benefits of these activities. Let’s …

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11 Public Figures Who Are Changing the Conversation About Mental Illness

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Talking openly about having a mental illness is still very difficult. Coming forward takes courage as the stigma and discrimination surrounding these conditions remains widespread. When a high-profile public figure or celebrity speaks up about their mental health struggles and encourages mental health treatment, it can raise awareness on a wider scale and send the message that it’s okay to ask for help. There are a growing number of well-known individuals who have become outspoken advocates to promote mental health …

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Advocating for BIPOC Mental Health

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Bebe Moore Campbell (1950 – 2006) was an African-American author, journalist and teacher. Her bestselling works of fiction often depicted the harmful impact of racism on individuals and their relationships. She was also a groundbreaking mental health advocate. Her Wikipedia entry includes: Campbell’s interest in mental health was the catalyst for her first children’s book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which was published in September 2003. This book won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. The …

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