Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2009) 15: 57-64. doi: 10.1192/apt.bp.107.004309
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Harrison, T.
Right arrow Articles by Davis, R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Harrison, T.
Right arrow Articles by Davis, R.

Advocacy: time to communicate

Tom Harrison and Ruth Davis

Tom Harrison is Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychiatric Rehabilitation with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust. He was Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Working Party on Advocacy. Ruth Davis is Manager of Birmingham Citizen Advocacy, Southside, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, UK

Correspondence: Correspondence Dr Tom Harrison, Yewcroft Mental Health Resource Center, Court Oak Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 9AB. Email: tom.harrison{at}nhs.net

This article offers an introduction to advocacy on behalf of people with mental disorders and/or intellectual disabilities. It concentrates mainly on the issues related to independent specialist advocacy, but refers to other forms also. The term is itself contentious, having different meanings in different contexts. Some of these controversies are outlined here. Inevitably, diverse interpretations imply varying practices, and these too are illustrated briefly. Legislation and concordance of expectations are both contributing to a set of standards to which most advocates in the UK and Ireland will adhere. The requirements that such legislation makes of mental healthcare staff working with independent specialist advocates are outlined, and the ethical dimension of mental health advocacy is noted.