Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself, express your needs, make decisions about your life, and ensure your rights and are respected.
Tips & Links
Self-advocacy refers to the ability to understand and express your own needs, rights, and desires, especially in situations where you need to make decisions about your health, education, or employment. It involves being informed, confident, and proactive in advocating for the resources and support you require.
Being a Self-Advocate
- Learn about your health condition, treatment options, and patient rights. Use reliable sources like evidence-based and government websites.
- Learn about your patient rights including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, and the right to refuse or choose treatments.
- Ask questions of all your health care providers and seek clarification on anything you do not understand.
- Choose a health advocate to assist you when you are not feeling well or strong enough to complete these tasks on your own.
More Learning
- Get empowered to advocate for your health from Arthritis Society Canada.
- Explore how to advocate for seniors health and lifestyle choices from Seniors BC.
- Share your voice and experience as a person living with a health condition and as a patient with Patient Voices Network.
- Explore how to apply for disability benefits, if you are eligible, from Disability Alliance BC.
- Learn about ‘Patients as Partners’ from the Government of BC.