The goals of our service and our approach to advocacy are guided by the principles of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022. Read more about the principles.
The Act promotes voluntary treatment wherever possible and focuses on recovery.
Our advocacy service and the principles
In particular, our service aligns with these specific principles for mental health services:
- Least restrictive principle: services are to be delivered in the least restrictive way possible. Our service will promote your recovery and full participation in community life.
- Supported decision-making principle: people who are subject to compulsory treatment have the right to take part in decisions about their own assessment, treatment and recovery.
- Dignity and autonomy principle: respect for the rights, dignity and autonomy of people with a mental illness.
This means we:
- give you every opportunity to have an active role in working towards your own recovery
- respect your dignity and autonomy
- respond to you as an individual
- support you to develop the skills and knowledge you need so that you are able to take control of your own treatment and recovery.
Learn more about your rights if you are on a compulsory treatment order.
'I was so confused and overwhelmed before engaging with IMHA, my advocate helped me be discharged from hospital and stopped me from having to have medication which would harm me'. – IMHA consumer
A focus on recovery
Our service is also guided by the National standards in mental health services approach to recovery. These emphasise hope, self-determination, self-management, and empowerment.
Recovery is defined in the standards as:
- a unique and personal journey
- a normal human process
- an ongoing experience and not the same as an end point or cure
- a journey rarely taken alone
- nonlinear—frequently interspersed with both achievement and setbacks.
This means we support your recovery in a holistic way which is:
- led by you as an individual
- based on your individual preferences, needs, experiences, aspirations and strengths
- focused on resilience, choice, hope, empowerment and social inclusion.
More information
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