Should You Become an Advocate?

Guidelines on becoming an advocate...
If you have the desire to help yourself and others in recovery, and are willing to commit to learning skills that will enable you do that, you may want to become an AU Advocate. Graduate advocates of AU's Advocacy Education Program share the skills they have acquired with other consumers and encourage them to pursue independent lives with the individual support systems they need. They have a strong commitment to the growth of the consumer movement in Connecticut, advocating for system and individual changes in the mental health and addictions service and recovery systems.

Some core beliefs and values of the AU Advocates:

They believe that every person is important and has the right and ability to make their own choices, and to make their own mistakes;
They believe that people have the right to live in their communities with the same dignity and respect given to all citizens;
They are willing to support people in their choices even if it makes them unpopular;
They do things with people, not for people;
They like to assist in improving the services that people in recovery from mental health disabilities receive.

Advocates never...

Feel they are better than the people they plan to serve;
Think that people in recovery from mental health disabilities don't know what is good for them;
Think that people in recovery from psychiatric disabilities can't make choices for themselves because they are too sick;
Believe that professionals always know what is best;
Need to be liked by everyone, but rather do what needs to be done;
Become advocates just because they're looking for something to do.

Also see Principles of Advocacy. To learn how to become an AU Advocate, see Advocacy Education Program.