Mental Health Services
Advocacy
Vermont has a strong and vibrant advocacy community. Advocacy groups throughout the state play important roles, both individually and collectively, in helping to strengthen the statewide system of care and support for individuals with a mental illness.
Advocacy groups:
- support
- promote
- research
- educate
and provide a way for individuals and families to connect to others with similar concerns.
In addition to the resources and web sites listed here, there are many other ways to get information, such as libraries, newsletters, conferences, workshops, training events, and the Internet.
All of these advocacy and information routes are available for you to use in understanding your situation, your rights, and how you can get help.
Self-Advocacy
What is self-advocacy?
- Speaking up for yourself.
- Negotiating for yourself.
- Making your own decisions.
- Asking for what you need.
- Knowing your rights and responsibilities.
- Using the resources that are available to you.
Who is a self-advocate?
A person with who speaks up, alone or with others, for their rights, equality, and freedoms in our communities and around the world.