This essay will first attempt to define the concept of advocacy and how this can empower service users. We will then explore the historical context of advocacy and how it has influenced the provision of mental health services today. To understand the concept of advocacy in more depth, this essay will attempt to analyze its different models. The essay will also highlight the importance of independent advocacy and its effectiveness in providing services to users. Finally, we will reflect on the practical implications of mental health policies as they influence the experiences of marginalized and vulnerable service groups, black service users. The empowerment of service users has recently been at the heart of the UK Government's vision for health and social care. , thus moving away from the traditionally paternalistic model in the provision of mental health care. Leadbetter (2002, p.201) highlighted the complexity in defining the concepts of advocacy and empowerment by stating that “empowerment and advocacy both concern a shift in power or emphasis towards meeting the needs and rights of people who would otherwise be marginalized or oppressed. Beyond this generalization, the concepts of empowerment and advocacy are not simple and as such are almost impossible to define." When the term 'empowerment' is used, it often covers a whole range of activities, from consultation with service users to involvement in service planning. However, the use of the term “service user” was perceived as a way of stigmatizing and labeling individuals, thus eradicating the notion of empowerment (Rai-Aitkins, Jama and Wright 2002). Due to the complexity in defining the concept of advocacy, this essay will however be better served by Dunning's understanding of what advocacy entails. Dunn…half of the paper…lives, in case their mental health worsens (Thomas and Bracken 1999). However, another school of thought suggests that self-advocacy is markedly limited due to the power imbalance between service users and professionals (Harrison and David 2009). The principle of beneficence can encourage paternalism as the professional can act in what they believe to be in the best interests of the service user (Thomas and Bracken 1999). Therefore potentially assuming that the service user is incapable of making their own decisions. It has been found that professionals tend to adopt a paternalistic approach in psychiatry which can overwhelm the views and needs of a service user who may be advocating for themselves (Thomas and Bracken 1999). It is therefore for these reasons that an independent advocate can best meet the needs of a mental health service user.