The Mental Health Advocacy Program

The Mental Health Advocacy Program provides services throughout Westchester County that support the empowerment of individuals labeled mentally ill, including those with psychiatric and emotional disabilities, through Peer and Systems Advocacy.

PEER ADVOCACY

A Mental Health Peer Advocate offers a unique understanding and assistance to other mental health consumers/recipients/survivors/ex--patients because he/she shares the experience of having a psychiatric label and living with a mental health disability. Mental Health Advocates assist others by:

• Listening
• Teaching and supporting self-advocacy
• Providing referrals to appropriate services
• Assisting consumers in accessing community resources
• Helping consumers identify and make quality of life choices
• Providing basic counseling
• Sharing information, tips, and coping strategies
• Advocating on behalf of a consumer

SYSTEMS ADVOCACY

Mental Health Systems Advocacy is used to encourage change within traditionally non-consumer-centered services. Systems Advocates work to promote reform within organizational, social, community and legal systems on behalf of all mental health consumers. Advocacy activities include:

• Providing consumers with information to assist in their recovery process
• Education and training of family members and service providers
• Representing consumers on committees and boards
• Promote awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities
• Participate in community and organizational planning

For more information call hthe WILC: (914) 682-3926 (Voice), (914) 682-0926 (TDD), (914) 682-8518 (FAX), or E-mail at: info@wilc.org