Free Virtual Event! • Sept 29 • 3 PM ET • TMS and Insurance: Will They or Won’t They Pay?Register Here
Foundation for the Advancement of Clinical TMS
Donate

The FACTMS advocacy community

Advocates with Lived Experience

No pressure. Just purpose.

The Advocates with Lived Experience community brings together people who have been through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and want others to know it can help. Your story could be the reason someone finds TMS sooner. Join at the level that fits your life, share when it feels right, and help lift the stigma around mental health care.

Add your voice

When patient stories and voices are visible, stigma decreases and awareness expands.

After the first week, I felt like a different person. The effect was almost magical.
MarcAdvocate with lived experienceRead more patient stories

One community, three ways to help

Find the level that fits your life right now.

Every level is part of the same community. Most people begin as a Champion and grow into a deeper role over time. You can move between levels whenever you like.

The Advocates with Lived Experience community structureThree nested groups. The Champions Community is the largest outer circle with thousands of supporters. The Advisors group sits inside it with 30 to 50 engaged advocates. The Leadership Circle is the innermost core with about 15 leaders.ChampionsAdvisorsLeadershipCircle

  • Champions Community

    Thousands of supporters

    The wider movement that amplifies awareness and shares FACTMS resources with their own networks.

  • Advisors

    30 to 50 engaged advocates

    Ambassadors who give feedback, take part in initiatives, and share their stories at FACTMS events.

  • Leadership Circle

    About 15 members

    A visible, active leadership group that guides the community alongside FACTMS board members and nonvoting advisors.

Compare the levels

What you can do at each level.

Three levels of Advocates with Lived Experience, side by side.
ChampionsThe wider movementAdvisorsEngaged advocatesLeadership CircleGuides the community
Who it is forAnyone who supports the cause and wants an easy way to help.Advocates who want to stay actively involved and help shape what FACTMS does.Advocates ready to lead, set direction, and represent the community publicly.
About how manyThousands30 to 50 advocatesAbout 15 members
What we ask of you●○○ Light
A few minutes when you can, plus a yearly community gathering.		●●○ Moderate
Quarterly virtual gathering plus occasional projects.		●●● Ongoing
Monthly virtual gathering plus leadership work.
What you will do
  • Post the graphics we make for you
  • Tell your story online for others to find
  • Invite others to follow and learn
  • Give feedback that shapes FACTMS initiatives
  • Take part in awareness campaigns
  • Share your story at FACTMS events, online and in person
  • Everything Champions do
  • Guide strategy with the FACTMS board
  • Represent the community at events and in the media
  • Welcome and mentor new advocates
  • Everything the other levels do
Ways to share your storyOnline, through social posts and a written story on factms.org.Online and at FACTMS virtual events.Online, at FACTMS events, and with the media.
Start hereJoin in minutesRaise your handExpress interest

Your voice belongs here.

Start wherever feels right. There is no wrong way to help, and no pressure to do more than you want to.

Join the communityWant to see who leads FACTMS first? Meet the Board of Directors.