The word means different things to different people, ranging from holding a bake sale for a local school to helping a person fight for their legal rights. Two common forms of advocacy are personal and community.

Many peers already advocate for themselves while navigating their everyday life. Starting or attending a DBSA support group, questioning a health insurance explanation of benefits, and sharing life experiences as a person with a mood disorder are all expressions of self-advocacy.

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While DBSA participants have a long history of championing personal advocacy, we have also been at the forefront of supporting peers in determining needs and best practices for delivery and access to mental health services. Taking action to influence public policy at the state and federal level is the goal of this type of community advocacy.