Fig. 2.

Integrative levels of advocacy. The effectiveness of advocacy is enhanced through the integration of multiple levels of advocacy. Self-advocacy is the act of seeking the understanding of an individual's rights and thus empowering individuals to speak up for themselves and make informed decisions about their treatment and management options. Individual advocacy is when the interests and rights of an individual are supported and/or represented by a clinician, friend, family, or through a group. Systems advocacy involves engaging in acts and processes intended to change societal, governmental, organizational, or agency policies, rules, and laws, as might occur when representing the interests of a disenfranchised group or class.