Quote:
Originally Posted by growlycat
No it was sort of funny! Because you would have a good point- these organizations aren’t as funded as they need to be. Someone once told me about paid health advocates, when someone has complex diseases and isn’t well enough to coordinate all the care.
Also children’s hospitals have “child life specialists” that help families not only coordinate care but getting caught up in school too.
I’m sure truly effective advocacy doesn’t exist for mental illness yet. But no offense taken. I was was just wondering out loud if these organizations are moving towards that model  |
Like at my hospital there was a patient advocate. There wasn't anyone specifically for mental health advocacy. I worked as an interfaith chaplain and we stepped in and often served as advocates on the Behavioral Health Unit. Not in any religious sense, just helped the patients be heard. We also got things for the patients if they had no family...like bedroom slippers or notebooks and pens. The Chaplaincy office had funds. We could even purchase stuffed animals (plush toys) for patients!
If would really be a cool new role, I think. Like someone who would serve as an advocate and would contact these various care givers...because to ask the client or patient to do this...is really asking too much.
As well, dealing with professionals who act like jerks...which, sadly, was illustrated in the OP's story.