Through advocacy, people in society are able to have their voices heard about issues of importance to them, have their human rights promoted and protected, and have their opinions and wishes sincerely taken into consideration during decision-making processes that affect their lives. Through advocacy, people are enabled and supported to express their opinions, ideas and concerns, access information, advice and guidance and explore options available to them in terms of services and care (Advocacy Focus, 2020).
In a world where persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities continue to be stigmatised, discriminated against and face violence and abuse, a core function of SAFMH’s work is ensuring that it, as a national body, involves itself in all manner of strategic advocacy efforts to raise awareness about mental health and to ensure that the voices, needs and concerns of persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities can receive the attention it deserves. Achieving this is dependent on ongoing partnership development with government and other stakeholders and decision-makers to ensure that SAFMH can take part and contribute to joint efforts aimed at bringing about lasting changes to the lives of those we serve.
