by Stuart Lustig
"[I]t is becoming much more common for mental health providers
to become community mental health advocates, and given the complexities
and nuances associated with tasks such as getting involved with
legislative issues or fund raising, a work like this serves an important
and useful purpose. It is concise, yet revealing, and explains concepts
in clear and practical language. Most importantly, it delivers on its
promise to transform its readers into more savvy participants in the
process of advocating for their mental health patients."--Doody's Medical Reviews
"This
book provides a valuable introduction to the discerning mental health
practitioner who wants to apply their advocacy skills into their
everyday work place."--ACAMH, The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
"Great
book! Learning to be an effective advocate in multiple arenas is
essential for all health professionals, particularly physicians. This
text utilizes a broad definition of advocacy and provides information
that can be used by multiple types of providers to learn effective
strategies to educate and inform others. It is readable with fascinating
case examples and practical tips that can be utilized flexibly across a
range of issues, formats and audiences. It is a great addition to the
libraries of anyone practicing in the health care field, regardless of
specialty or years of practice."
Arden D Dingle, MD
Program Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Emory University School of Medicine
A
wealth of advocacy tools for health and mental health professionals at
all levels of training and practice are included in this clear and
comprehensive volume. Written by medical, legal, and policy experts, it
fills a void in the literature by addressing multiple topics in advocacy
in the health field as a whole. The text addresses the legislative
process, provides step-by-step approaches for using the media, and
discusses when to seek an attorney, when to litigate, working with
family and community, and funding strategies. It also covers such
seldom-addressed topics as leveraging research findings for advocacy
purposes.
Two outstanding features of the text are a
discussion of the rationale for advocacy and a call for readers to
examine their own motivations for this work, and a chapter by health
educators who provide guidance about advances in learning theory that
will help readers assimilate the material. The volume will serve as both
a resource for advocacy coursework and as a guide for the independent
practitioner of advocacy.
Key Features:
- Provides a wealth of advocacy tools for health professionals at all levels of training and practice
- Written in a clear, straightforward manner for easy access
- Includes
a unique metacognitive theory that will help readers to thoroughly
integrate the information and provides tools for self-analysis
- Highlights main teaching points with summaries, case studies, and reflection questions