Whether you’re a Mental Health First Aider or just curious to learn more about mental health issues, you’re already an advocate for mental health in your community — even if you don’t know it! Being an advocate is about learning, sharing your story, engaging on issues in your community, and making your voice and the voices of those you love heard.
You’ve already taken an important step by learning or expressing interest in learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use crisis or challenge. What comes next? How do we help ensure people in crisis receive care when and where they need it? Can people afford it? What can we do to raise awareness about the need to expand access to services to better serve the community? How can we come together to support the mental health and substance use care organizations struggling with severe workforce and funding shortages?
Here are a few ways to continue being an advocate for mental wellbeing.