New Year's Resolutions for a Mental Health Advocate

Are you looking for ways to make a difference in 2022? How about becoming a mental health advocate? The possibilities seem endless but I will attempt list a few options.

Perhaps you want to direct your energies to the mental health of all individuals, not just those diagnosed with a mental illness. In this Time of COVID, all of us may feel challenged to maintain emotional and cognitive balance due to the uncertainty of viral contagion, restricted activities, fears for and loss of family and friends, and general stress of the unknown. Entering “Year 2”, many are questioning how much longer this will continue. So general mental health advocacy is definitely important. Many articles have been published to help, mental health apps are popular, and mental health professionals are providing as much support as possible. More resources, however, may be needed at school, workplace settings, and virtually for those staying home. People world-wide are looking for sources of comfort and advice as we muddle through this COVID maze. Putting your advocacy time here could be well-spent.

If, like me, you want to narrow your mental health advocacy to the most vulnerable, those with Serious Mental Illness the opportunities are numerous as well. Here are some suggestions:

1. Making sure that those diagnosed with schizophrenia are fully vaccinated. Research has found people with schizophrenia are more likely to experience complications from COVID. In a review of 16 studies in 7 countries, mental illness, especially schizophrenia, was associated with a higher COVID death rate. Dr. Li, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, advised clinicians who treat patients with schizophrenia, to reduce transmission rate by carefully following and encouraging prevention measures and to make sure that care is appropriately escalated if the patient contracts COVID. Reminding patients and clinicians to be alert to this vulnerability is an important advocacy issue.

2. Continue to confront misinformation that associates schizophrenia with high rates of violence and mass shootings. Yes, people with schizophrenia can commit violent acts and they can be a danger to themselves or others. But most violence is not associated with serious mental illness. In fact people with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of crime and violence rather than perpetrators. Misinformation creates unfounded fears and stigmas that keep those who need support and acceptance from getting the help that they need from their community and from seeking treatment. Encouraging others to read updated research findings such as the Violence Project can be helpful.

3. Spread the news that Schizophrenia is a treatable illness. More that half of all people with schizophrenia meet the criteria for recovery if they seek treatment. Recovery means experiencing good health, a stable and safe home, meaningful work, and positive social involvement. Another large percentage can find improvement in symptoms. Thanks to new medications and treatment approaches, few need long-term psychiatric hospitalizations as in the past. Early interventions and family involvement in treatment increase recovery chances. As an advocate, it is important to share the “hope.”

4. Encourage communities to use mental health professionals as first responders to a mental health crises or train first responders to learn how to react to mental health crises. So many suicides by those in crises and homicides by police could be avoided if the individual who is experiencing the crises receives appropriate interventions. My heart bleeds for the person in the middle of a psychotic episode that is killed because the first responders did not know how to manage a mental health crises. Unfortunately more than 1 in 5 people killed by police have a mental illness. (Washington Post, Dec. 28, 2021). Many of these are needless deaths. Training is available now to learn de-escalation specific to mental health symptoms. Including mental health providers in a crises response team is another good option. In situations that truly look life-threatening, shooting to wound can be another option (The Atlanta Journal- Constitution, Brad Shrade, May 16, 2021). You can make a difference by advocating for police protection for all, including the most vulnerable.

5. Even though only a small subset of individuals with schizophrenia are homeless, 30% of the homeless population have serious mental illness. Shelters continue to service those who are either resistant to treatment or are unaware of their need for treatment (anosognosia). Treatment and outreach to this subset is very complicated since many in this group either do not believe that they need help or have difficulty trusting or finding the help that will work best for them. Finding ways to improve their quality of life and treatment interventions that will work for them has not been easy. This is a challenging area of mental health advocacy often includes political advocacy on a national, state and/or local level.

In summary, these are some suggestions for mental health advocacy for you to consider. You can find many more ideas by researching sites such as the Treatment Advocacy Center, National Alliance on Mental Health, and the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance. All have pathways to make a difference in mental health education, treatment, and policy-making. Check them out!

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