How I Became a Patient AdvocateTwenty years ago, when I was first diagnosed with a lifelong illness, I would never have imagined what that diagnose would mean and how it would change my life. All...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Knowing Your Worth: Tips for Being Compensated for your Patient AdvocacyWhen you’ve lived with a chronic illness for years, it’s safe to say you become an expert on your condition and have earned the title of “professional patient”. If you...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Advocating Like a Journalist: Tips for Sharing Newsworthy ContentSo much of how we advocate involves storytelling and creating content that leaves a lasting impression. It can be overwhelming to know what topics to focus on, what information will...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Getting Involved in Health Policy AdvocacyGetting to know your local senators and representatives and getting involved in health policy advocacy is a great way to make a positive impact on your community and the healthcare...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Cycle of Patient and Health 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. By giving you the...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Fibromyalgia & Mental Health: This Didn’t Happen Overnight!If you are a person living with fibromyalgia, it is very likely that you are also affected by mental health. Due to stigmas and false perceptions about fibromyalgia, some people...Reactions0reactionsComments2 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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 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...Reactions0reactionsComments1 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 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...Reactions0reactionsComments9 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A How-To Guide for Self-Advocacy: Why Patient Advocacy is ImportantAfter 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?...Reactions0reactionsComments2 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments1 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments