Advocacy

What exactly is advocacy?

There is no clear consensus on a single definition of advocacy. In general terms, advocacy is an evidence-based approach that promotes change and system reform. According to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP, 2017), advocacy is the “deliberate pursuit of change” in decision-making, attitudes, behaviour and policy, to benefit the public. For advocacy to be successful, advocates strategically think and plan their approach. This involves gaining an understanding of stakeholders, and their power, roles, motivations, frames of reference, influence and inter relationships (RACP, 2017).

What are we advocating for?

The Melbourne Children’s Campus Mental Health Strategy 2021-25 (The Strategy) is a five-year strategy funded by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. The objective of The Strategy is to deliver high quality comprehensive infant, child and adolescent mental health care supported by education and research.

Advocacy is a key enabler to promote The Strategy’s internal and external priorities in mental health care and support for children, families and carers and staff. These priorities include the promotion of mental health as everyone’s business, improving equity and access, and prevention and early intervention. The strategy implementation team members responsible for the advocacy enabler are Anitha Thiraviarajah (Lead) and Kayla Elliott (Research assistant).

Actions of Advocates and the relevance to the Melbourne Children’s Campus Mental Health Strategy:

When considering advocacy for the Melbourne Children’s Campus Mental Health Strategy, there are many strategies that can be used. The following table highlights some specific strategies, including what they are and when to use them.

Download the full list of strategies we use in our work.

References: Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Advocacy Framework (2017). Retrieved 2023, from LINK

Acknowledgement of Country

At Mental Health Central we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

We acknowledge all people with a lived or living experience of mental ill-health and recovery. At the Campus, we particularly acknowledge children, young people, families, carers, and supporters. We recognise their vital contribution and value the courage of those who share this unique perspective for the purpose of learning and growing together to achieve better outcomes for the Campus, staff, sector, and all people of lived experience.

Proudly supported by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation