The Cycle of AdvocacyAt the Social Health Network, our job is to help support you as you grow from a patient or caregiver to a powerhouse in the community. We want to give... By IlanaJacqueline4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Fibromyalgia & Mental Health: This Didn’t Happen Overnight!Editor's Note: This piece has brief mentions of alcoholism and familial abuse. If you are a person living with fibromyalgia, it is very likely that you are also affected by... By MildredVelez2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Expanding Presence, Gaining Visibility, and Advocating For MyselfMany of us in chronic disease communities are well connected on social media and often share our personal experiences with our health and bring awareness to our conditions and obstacles... By EllaBalasa2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
An Interview With Kelly Cervantes, Author of Normal Broken: The Grief Companion...Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate. We had the privilege of interviewing her in light of her upcoming book: Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When it’s... By bridget-gawinowicz6 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Meeting a New Doctor, Again? 3 Simple Steps to PrepareWhen you’re a seasoned patient, it can feel like a drag to meet a new doctor for the umpteenth time. But for any number of reasons, we patients often find... By Diana Castaldini3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Advice for Getting Started in AdvocacyThe journey to begin advocacy can feel overwhelming. Many questions arise. How do I start? What do I say? Does anyone want to hear from me? We recently asked Social... By Editorial Team2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Does Advocacy Burnout Look Like for You?Burnout can be defined as a state of prolonged physical or mental stress. Its symptoms can include exhaustion, depression, anxiety, lack of joy doing activities that you previously enjoyed, and... By Editorial Team1 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
5 Reasons to Consider the Health Union Patient Leader Certification ProgramIn the realm of healthcare advocacy and patient empowerment, the role of Patient Leaders has gained significant importance. Patient Leaders play a crucial role in advocating for the needs and... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Community Views: Most Rewarding Advocacy ExperienceBeing a health advocate is such a powerful experience for a variety of reasons. To learn more about the ways this role has changed the lives of our Health Leaders... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
A How-To Guide for Self-AdvocacyAfter the initial shock of a chronic or terminal illness diagnosis, questions arise. What does this mean? How do I manage the symptoms? Can I afford my treatments and appointments?... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Connexion Replay: A Look At Health LeadershipHealth Leaders wear many hats. Some lead support groups, some advocate for their loved ones at the doctor's office, some work with legislatures to expand healthcare coverage, and more. In... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
REPLAY: How to Advocate for a Terminal Condition PanelWe were joined by panelists Olivia Salvo, Sarita Edwards, and Abigail Johnston as they discussed the differences, challenges, and opportunities they encountered while advocating for a terminal diagnosis versus a... By Editorial Team2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
People and Tools That Have Helped Us With Our Advocacy JourneysBehind advocates are people and resources that help them thrive. Family members or friends, apps or tools, each person’s supports are unique. The Social Health Network’s Facebook group recently asked... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Meet the 2023 Social Health Awards FinalistsWe’re excited to announce our 2023 Social Health Awards finalists! It's been an incredible experience for our judges (and our team) to get to know our Health Leaders better through... By Editorial Team5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Announcing the 2023 Social Health Awards Winners!The Social Health Awards honor and recognize the efforts of patients and caregivers within their communities and at the industry level. Our Health Leaders constantly amaze us through their unique... By Editorial Team7 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
My Experience on the Patient Leadership CouncilEditor's note: This article was written by Patient Leader Lisa Marie Basile, who writes and moderates on AxialSpondyloarthritis.net. You can read more of her articles on AxialSpondyloarthritis.net here. You can... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Interview: Hope's Idiopathic Condylar Resorption JourneyRecently we had the pleasure of interviewing Health Leader Hope Tocci, who wanted to share her experience living with Idiopathic Condylar Resorption. You can read her story below. I would... By Editorial Team4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Community Views: Becoming a Patient LeaderThe journey of advocacy takes many twists and turns. For some, it is easy to get started, while for others it takes time to find a niche. Reaching the point... By Editorial Team4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Navigating Professional Relationships as a Patient Leader: An Interview With Kathy Reagan YoungWhile she was first focused on patient leadership within the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, Kathy Reagan-Young realized she wanted to elevate her footprint as a Patient Leader and help others... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Let’s Talk Medical Gaslighting: A Panel DiscussionIn this replay session, we aim to not only learn about medical gaslighting but also identify examples in our own lives when we have been gaslighted. We hear from Patient... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments