SAGE Journal Articles
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Article 1: Cook, J.A., & Jonikas, J.A. (2002). Self-Determination Among Mental Health Consumers/Survivors: Using Lessons From the Past to Guide the Future. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 13(2), pp. 88-96.
This article traces the history of self-determination for individuals with mental health issues, describes major barriers to self-determination, presents several theories of self-determination with potential relevance for mental health consumers, and offers ways in which self-determination and consumer control might be achieved both within and outside of service systems.
Questions to Consider:
1. How has the concept of self-determination for mental health consumers changed since early advocacy efforts? What has been the impact of deinstitutionalization?
2. What are some of the key barriers to self-determination for mental health consumers?
3. What is the connection between self-determination and an individual’s capacity to thrive?
Article 2: Howze, E.H. & Redman, L.J. (1992). The Uses of Theory in Health Advocacy: Policies and Programs. Health Education & Behavior 19(3), pp. 369-383.
This article describes strategies and theories used by a statewide coalition called the Health Promotion and Education Council of Virginia in its advocacy effort to reduce premature and preventable death and disability in the state. The work of The Council resulted in a legislative study and health-related legislation.
Questions to Consider:
1. What strategies were used in building the council’s capacity for advocacy?
2. What was the process that led to the identification of the three main issues for the legislative study?
3. How was the theory of diffusion of innovation utilized by the council?
Article 3: Ruggiano, M., Whiteman, K. & Shtompel, N. (2014). “If I Don’t Like the Way I Feel With a Certain Drug, I’ll Tell Them.”: Older Adults’ Experiences With Self-Determination and Health Self-Advocacy. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 0733464814527513.
This article examines perceptions of older adults’ health self-advocacy behaviors and the context under which they self-advocate for their chronic conditions. Concern over quality of life is the most common motivator for older adults to engage in health self-advocacy, suggesting that providers may help facilitate self-determination by framing health communication within the context of quality of life.
Questions to Consider:
1. What is health self-advocacy, and what are some factors that impact an individual’s participation in it?
2. What is the relationship between Self-Determination Theory and health self-advocacy?
3. What might influence an older adult’s decision to not self-advocate, and how might a social worker support this client in making a shift to the decision to self-advocate?
The authors describe initiatives designed to meet the chronic health needs of the elderly and strategies used by policy advocates who have worked to improve services for elders with chronic health problems within the Medicare program.
Questions to Consider:
1. Describe the three major categories of chronic care programs for older adults.
2. In what ways do the described federal and state programs differ from each other?
3. What is the difference between case management programs and disease management programs?
Article 5: Kiselica, M.S. (2004). When Duty Calls: The Implications of Social Justice Work for Policy, Education, and Practice in the Mental Health Professions. The Counseling Psychologist, 32 (6). pp. 838-854.
The authors describe several implications of social justice work for policy, education, and practice in the mental health professions. Recommendations for mental health practitioners include lobbying for policies that compensate practitioners for social justice work and primary prevention, participating in interdisciplinary social justice programs, advocating for clients who are too overwhelmed to advocate for themselves, and balancing confrontation with engagement when challenging unjust systems and practices.
Questions to Consider:
1. The author asserts that “mental health professionals must lobby for policies that compensate practitioners for social justice work and primary prevention.” What are the challenges to this, and how can it be accomplished?
2. What are some of the trade-offs that occur when social justice work becomes a concentration in the curriculum?
3. How can professionals best advocate for consumers who are too overwhelmed to advocate for themselves?
Article 6: Gold, P.B., Glynn, S.M., & Mueser, K.T. (2006). Challenges to Implementing and Sustaining Comprehensive Mental Health Service Programs. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 29(2). pp. 195-218.
The authors describe efforts to implement the use of Evidence Based Practices for mental health consumers. The evolution of the mental health service system is described, along with the challenges of facilitating consumer advocacy for access to research supported interventions.
Questions to Consider:
1. How did grassroots advocacy movements impact mental health service delivery?
2. What are the three issues likely impede consumer advocacy for access to Evidence-Based Practices?