Advocacy in Psychiatry

Eric Rafla-Yuan, Social Determinants of Health Network, San Diego, California (Rafla-Yuan); National Association of Community Health Centers, Bethesda, Maryland (Jadhav); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC (Peace, Willing); Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC (Willing).
Mandar Jadhav, Social Determinants of Health Network, San Diego, California (Rafla-Yuan); National Association of Community Health Centers, Bethesda, Maryland (Jadhav); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC (Peace, Willing); Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC (Willing).
Melissa A. Peace, Social Determinants of Health Network, San Diego, California (Rafla-Yuan); National Association of Community Health Centers, Bethesda, Maryland (Jadhav); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC (Peace, Willing); Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC (Willing).
Laura Willing, Social Determinants of Health Network, San Diego, California (Rafla-Yuan); National Association of Community Health Centers, Bethesda, Maryland (Jadhav); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC (Peace, Willing); Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC (Willing).

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Journal

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)

Volume

23

Issue

3

DOI

10.1176/appi.focus.20250003

Keywords

Advocacy; Health Policy and Legislation; Medical Education; Social Determinants of Health

Abstract

Advocacy is a fundamental responsibility of all physicians, and psychiatrists are uniquely positioned as advocates because of their expertise in understanding the intersection between mental health, social determinants, and systemic barriers. Defined as giving voice to advance patient and population health, physician advocacy spans a continuum of activities, including micro-level efforts focused on individual patients, meso-level initiatives targeting organizational and community improvements, and macro-level interventions addressing systemic changes. Advocacy training enhances competence in these domains, but significant gaps persist in advocacy integration into medical education. Although insufficient institutional support, lack of formalized requirements, and limited recognition in academic or career promotion hinder advocacy skill development, professional organizations provide opportunities to develop and refine advocacy competencies, obtain mentorship, and identify avenues for engaging with policy makers. Through advocacy, psychiatrists have made significant contributions at individual, community, and national levels-and continue to be essential in driving systemic change to improve health.

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

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