7 steps into mental health advocacy

1. Learn the basics of Mental Health

2. Understand mental health advocacy

5. Find your advocacy community

1. Learn the basics of mental health

First things first, you’ve got to know what you’re talking about.

No, we’re not asking you to have an encyclopedia of knowledge for all things mental health. But it’s important to make sure your understanding of mental health is informed, inclusive, and intersectional before you jump into advocacy work. Here are the basics of what mental health is, the factors that can influence a person’s mental health, and the different ways we talk about it.

+ What is mental health?

Put simply, mental health refers to how we think and feel. One in five people will experience a mental illness in a given year, and five in five people have mental health. Mental health challenges impact everyone.

+ What are some common mental health conditions?

The commonly discussed mental health conditions are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and substance use disorder. Other important topics include self-harm and suicide.

+ What resources are there for someone struggling with their mental health?

This Mental Health 101 page from Mental Health America has an overview of types of mental health treatment, tools to help yourself, and pages on how to help other people. For someone struggling, there’s also a quiz to help you figure out the next steps and the potential resources available.

+ How do racism, homophobia, and other types of discrimination impact mental health?

Discrimination impacts our mental health. To be an effective mental health advocate, it's critical to learn about how mental health affects different communities. Check out these resources on racism and mental health and LGBTQ+ communities and mental health.

+ How do other parts of our lives, like access to food and housing, impact our mental health?

It’s hard to take care of your mental health if you don’t have your basic needs met. Our communities and social environments largely influence our mental health and well-being. Those environments and social factors can be a huge reason why someone stays healthy or becomes ill.

+ How does policy impact mental health?

Policy plays a significant role in shaping mental health outcomes by influencing access to mental health services, funding for research and treatment, stigma reduction efforts, and the integration of mental health into healthcare systems. Effective mental health policies can promote early intervention, increase the availability of affordable and quality care, and support holistic approaches to mental well-being, ultimately improving overall mental health outcomes in communities.

+ What are mental health rights?

People with mental health diagnoses often face discrimination and exclusion and are harmed by existing policies and systems. Mental health rights are the protections and entitlements granted to people experiencing mental health conditions. These rights are aimed at promoting and safeguarding the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of people with mental health concerns.

Some key aspects of mental health rights include access to quality mental health services, privacy and confidentiality, freedom from discrimination and stigma, informed consent, and the right to participate in decisions regarding one's own treatment and care.

HOW to TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

It might seem straightforward, but there are actually a lot of ways people talk about and understand their mental health. You should unpack these perspectives and see how they resonate with your experience. Expand your understanding with these key questions about how we label and talk about mental health.

+ How do people understand mental health conditions?

For many people, learning about a mental health condition or getting a mental health diagnosis is a relief. You finally have the language to describe what’s happening to you and may be able to find mental health resources that are best for you. For example, If you’re struggling with PTSD, you’ll likely want a therapist and services that focus on PTSD.

On the other hand, some people feel limited by mental health labels and don’t want them. You may feel that a diagnosis changes your identity or medicalizes your feelings and experiences. You may have been harmed after receiving a specific diagnosis or been told that you could no longer do the things that mattered to you because of a diagnosis. For example, many people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder face stigma from mental health professionals about their struggles with emotions and suicidal thoughts. You may also feel that you don’t fit into an existing diagnosis, or you fit into so many diagnoses that labels aren’t helpful.

+ What language do people with mental health conditions use to identify?

People also have different feelings about how to talk about themselves and other people living with mental health conditions. Some advocates, including IDONTMIND, use person-first language (i.e., a person living with schizophrenia instead of schizophrenic) because they believe a person shouldn’t be defined by their mental health condition. Other people feel that their diagnosis or experience is a central part of their identity and prefer identity-first language (autistic person instead of person with autism).

To respect people’s preferences, advocates may choose to use person-first language but defer to each person and community for the language they prefer.

+ What kinds of mental health services and supports exist?

Some people believe access to mental health professionals like therapists and psychiatrists is the most important part of mental health advocacy, and others may be more interested in community-based resources like peer support or community leader training. These preferences may be tied to cultural values or personal harm, like racism and abuse in mental health services.

It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to mental health and that different people need different things at different times. Comprehensive mental health advocacy means giving people the resources they need to be mentally well.

2. Understand mental health advocacy

Mental health advocacy challenges the barriers that keep people from living mentally healthy lives. A lot of that work happens when we speak up about our experiences navigating mental health and illness.

+ What does it mean to be a mental health advocate?

An advocate is someone who actively supports and promotes a particular cause, often by raising awareness, speaking out, and taking action to bring about positive change.

A mental health advocate focuses their time advocating for issues related to mental health — such as reducing stigma, increasing access to care, and promoting overall mental well-being. Mental health advocates work to educate other people, provide support, and advocate for policies and resources that address the needs of individuals living with mental health conditions. They strive to create a more inclusive and supportive society for those affected by mental health struggles.

SHARING YOUR STORY AS A FORM OF ADVOCACY

Sharing your story can build connections and inspire change. The biggest way to fight stigma is by talking openly about mental health challenges. As the person sharing, it can be healing to have someone else hear your story and experiences — whether that’s a friend, your social media followers, or an elected official. For the person listening, it could help give them the push they need to tell other people their own personal stories too. Additionally, personal stories can guide us in building communities that more effectively meet people's needs by exploring what does and does not work.

On your own social media
Through mental health nonprofits
Within other communities that you belong to — a sports team, your school, your church
With elected officials and other decision makers who control mental health laws and services

Here are a few questions to guide you as you start to think about sharing your mental health story:

How did you know you were struggling? Share some signs that you were having a difficult time. For example, “I began isolating myself from my friends” or “I started thinking about my weight constantly.”
What was the point at which things changed for you? Did you get access to mental health services or did a friend inspire you with their story?
What did it look like when your mental health improved? How do you maintain your mental health and well-being? What do you wish existed for other people?

Only share what you want to! Your decision to share your story is entirely up to you. You don’t have to go into deep detail or share things you’re uncomfortable with just to make a difference. It’s not dishonest if you don’t share every single thing that’s happened to you. For example, if you experienced a traumatic event that you do not want to share, it is okay to not include it when you share with other people.
It’s important to know that there may be some people who won’t understand, and some people may even be upset by it. You should make sure you have support, and it may be worth even testing what you’re going to say with another person. Remember, even though people may not understand, you can still choose to share and inspire others.
You may also want to consider how your story may impact other people's lives. For example, will sharing parts of your story give away information about someone else’s story? If so, you should ask that person before disclosing personal things about them.

Other ways to advocate for mental health include fighting for legislative and policy changes, creating mental health spaces online and offline, and disrupting systems that harm people living with mental health conditions. Experts and advocates talked about these topics (and more) at the Our Future in Mind mental health summit — you can watch the summit here.

3. Find inspiration.

Not sure where to start? You’ve got plenty of folks to look to for inspiration. Learn about what other mental health advocates are doing to make a change in their communities, and get some ideas for what you could do to help yours. Advocacy can take so many forms — from podcasts to apps to policy.

+ Here are a few examples from MHA’s Young Mental Health Leaders Council

Catherine Delgado created the SWEAR Committee, a student-led committee that guides the San Diego School District to improve mental health resources in schools.

Juan Acosta passed a pro-LGBTQ+ proclamation in his hometown, co-authored a book with Lady Gaga, and works with a warmline in California to bring more representation to mental health work. Read our interview with Juan.

Seika Brown created YLG, a research organization. Read our interview with Seika.

Marcus Alston created Alston for Athletes to promote conversations about mental health and mentorship in athletics.

Ananya Cleetus created Anemone, a mobile app that empowers people to create crisis plans and have mental health support in their pockets. Read our interview with Ananya.

+ Here are a few interviews with different activists and advocates.

Dr. Kojo Sarfo is educating people and promoting men’s mental health awareness on TikTok.

Melody Li is tackling the barriers of a white mental health system with her organization, Inclusive Therapists.

Ali Borowsky is building a community of people who’re trying to prevent suicide, while giving hope to people struggling with suicidal thoughts.

4. Find your role

We all have unique strengths and interests. Let them guide you when you’re looking for your place in the mental health movement. Think about the things you’re good at (hint: think about the things that other people come to you for help with).

Maybe all of your friends come to you when they need to vent, so you want to become a therapist or a peer supporter. Maybe you want to change the law to make sure mental health education is included in schools. Maybe you use your story and experiences to write music or poetry.

Just as there are many ways to improve your mental health, there are many ways to advocate for mental health too. Every role is important in creating better communities and systems.

THE SOCIAL CHANGE ECOSYSTEM MAP

The Social Change Ecosystem Map (developed by Deepa Iyer at the Building Movement Project) provides a framework for different roles within a social movement.

You may see yourself in more than one category or may feel like you don’t have enough experience yet to fit into any specific category. That’s okay! This map is only a starting point to help you think about where you see yourself in the larger picture.

You can learn more about the Social Change Ecosystem Map here.

+ Here are the different roles that you could play in mental health advocacy.

WEAVERS

I see the through lines of connectivity between people, places, organizations, ideas, and movements.

EXPERIMENTERS

I innovate, pioneer, and invent. I take risks and course-correct as needed.

FRONTLINE RESPONDERS

I address community crises by marshaling and organizing resources, networks, and messages.

VISIONARIES

I imagine and generate our boldest possibilities, hopes, and dreams, and remind us of our direction.

BUILDERS

I develop, organize, and implement ideas, practices, people, and resources in service of a collective vision.

CAREGIVERS

I nurture and nourish the people around me by creating and sustaining a community of care, joy, and connection.

DISRUPTERS

I take uncomfortable and risky actions to shake up the status quo, to raise awareness, and to build power.

HEALERS

I recognize and tend to the generational and current traumas caused by oppressive systems, institutions, policies, and practices.

STORYTELLERS

I craft and share our community stories, cultures, experiences, histories, and possibilities through art, music, media, and movement.

GUIDES

I teach, counsel, and advise, using my gifts of well-earned discernment and wisdom.

5. Find your advocacy community

If you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this: you don’t have to start something brand new to make an impact.

If everyone were focused on starting their own initiative, we wouldn’t be able to make as big of an impact. There are so many amazing organizations out there working to improve mental health, and they need your support to succeed. In addition to potentially building something by yourself, you can learn from the wisdom of other leaders, lift up the work of an existing project or organization, and create more collaborative communities.

FINDING AN ORGANIZATION TO JOIN

When finding a community to work with, explore your path based on interests or beliefs. This may mean joining an organization focused on a specific mental health condition, finding a group that works on the issues that you care most about, identifying mental health advocates in your local community, or even starting your own initiative inspired by the work of others.

As a start, you may want to browse social media and search online for specific topics or local resources that may be available to you. We’re also always adding new ways to get involved with IDONTMIND.

Here’s a list of other organizations you can check out based on your interests:

+ Once I find an organization I’m interested in, how do I actually get involved?

If the organization has a website, look for a section titled “Join Us,” “Take Action,” “Get Involved,” or something similar. If you can’t find a page like this, look for a “Contact Us” section. With an email or phone number, you can reach out directly.

These days, a lot of organizations and campaigns exist primarily on social media. If that’s the case, you’ll want to send them a direct message about getting involved.

+ How do I reach out to an organization about getting involved?

When reaching out, introduce yourself, express interest in helping out, and consider adding some suggestions for things you could pitch in with. Here’s a template:

Hi! My name is [NAME]. I really admire [ORGANIZATION NAME], and I’m inspired by the work you’re doing to [WHAT THEY’RE DOING]. How can I get involved?

(OPTIONAL: I have experience with [SKILLS & EXPERIENCE], and I’d be happy to use these skills to help [SUGGESTION].)

Thanks for all that you do! Hope to hear back soon.

EXAMPLE:

Hi! My name is Maria. I really admire Letters to Strangers, and I’m inspired by the work you’re doing to destigmatize mental illness and create peer-to-peer connections. How can I get involved?

I have experience editing my school’s newspaper and running my own personal blog, and I’d be happy to use these skills to help you out with any writing or content needs.

Thanks for all that you do! Hope to hear back soon.

6. Set a goal

When you set out to become a mental health advocate, think about what that means to you exactly: What do you want to accomplish? How do you know you’ve achieved it?

Set a goal for yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything big or revolutionary.

Hint: Setting these goals can also help guide you while you’re looking for advocacy communities and reaching out to get involved. With a goal in mind, you’ll have a better idea of who to look for and what to ask about. For example, if your goal involves contacting lawmakers, find an organization that has policy change in their mission. If your goal is to raise money, say that when you contact organizations to get involved.

Here are a few examples of simple and attainable goals you can start with:

I will share my mental health story publicly and encourage others to do the same.
I will design and distribute a poster with mental health resources around my town.
I will fundraise $100 for a local mental health organization.
I will attend a school board meeting to talk about school mental health days.

7. Take action

Understanding these things is obviously just the beginning! After exploring what’s important to you and how you want to show up as part of this movement, it’s time to actually make connections and jump in on what feels right for you.

Here are some examples based on the roles from the Social Change Ecosystem Map: