Advocacy

Systemic Advocacy

The Mental Health Rights Coalition advocates for its members through speaking up at various committees, attempting to create change through the system. This is different from individual advocacy in that we do not take on individual complaints; we use collective complaints as a catalyst for change.

Services and Supports

There are many outstanding organizations which provide services and support. People's experience varies and sometimes what works for one does not work for another. MHRC encourages mental health consumer/survivors to do whatever works for them. Below you will find a growning and changing list of online resources for a variety of supports which may be valuable in the pursuit of wellness.

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

Provides education and information for people with mood disorders, for professionals and the public with an excellent list of fact sheets and other information
Fosters a self help/peer support model
Eliminates discrimination and stigma
Works with community partners
Advocates on behalf of those with mood disorders and their families.
Offers an excellent quarterly magazine- "Moods" -with Canadian content - available both in hard copy and electronic
Sponsors an online exhibition of the Art of those who live with mood disorders - Touched by Fire

The Mental Health Rights Coalition is part of the following community organizations:

COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team)
Good Shepherd HOMES
Hamilton Addictions and Mental Health Network: Crisis Beds Proposal Group
Recovery Vision Group
Health and Wellness Resource Centre
Homeless Initiative Campaign for Adequate Welfare
Knowledge Integration Study
Longitudinal Study of Consumer Survivor Initiatives
Network for Volunteerism in Mental Health
Ontario Peer Development Initiative
Photovoice Hamilton Project
Public Health Street Outreach Committee
Supported Housing Coordination Network: Consumer-Run Coop Proposal Group
Therapeutic Relationships Research Project
Voices of Experience
Wellness Network
WiseMind Inc.