Mental health advocates

Independent mental health advocates

Independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) can help you to participate in decisions about your care and treatment, and make you aware of your rights and how to exercise them. To be eligible to receive the help of an IMHA, you have to be a 'qualifying patient'.

Qualifying patients are those who are:

• Detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act
• Being considered for a section 17 leave, or section 117 after care
• Subject to a guardianship order under the Mental Health Act
• Subject to a supervised community treatment order in the community
• Discussing with their doctor the possibility of psychosurgery (any surgical operation on the brain tissue)
• Discussing the possibility of serious treatments such as neurosurgery
• Between 16 and 18 years old and discussing with a doctor the possibility of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

You have a legal right to be informed of your entitlement to an IMHA, both verbally and in writing. The person responsible will depend on the situation at the time, for example it's the hospital manager's duty when you are initially detained.

Referrals

If you want to make a referral to the advocacy service please contact the organisation who provides the service in your area (see below). We have an open referral system so you can be referred by mental health professionals, family or you can self refer.

Areas covered and contact details

Some advocates cover specific services, others cover more than one. If you can't find the ward or service below, please click the borough it's based in: