What we can do for you
If you’re eligible, we can support you to:
- understand information about your assessment, treatment, care and recovery
- make decisions about your assessment, treatment and care
- understand and exercise your rights
- make an advance statement of preferences
- appoint a nominated support person
- seek a second psychiatric opinion
- seek legal advice
- apply to the Mental Health Tribunal
- understand and access the mental health and wellbeing service system
- express your decisions, views and preferences to your mental health and wellbeing services and others
- make a complaint about your mental health service.
We can also arrange an interpreter. Find out how to speak with us in your language.
With your consent, IMHA can represent your views to your mental health and wellbeing service. Your IMHA advocate will:
- act as directed by you
- not take action without your consent
- not be guided by what others may consider to be in your best interests, if you are at least 16 years of age. If you are 15 years of age or younger, IMHA will promote your views and work with your family, carers, and supporters to ensure your best interests are protected.
“I write to express my appreciation for the outstanding clarification of information and support provided by my Advocate. She ensured I was aware of my rights whilst being treated as an involuntary patient”
What we can't do
While we will give you general information about your rights, we do not provide legal representation or specific advice about your situation.
We also do not:
- provide medical or legal advice
- decide or state a preference for what course of action you should take
- try to convince you to make a decision or comply with actions that others believe is in your ‘best interests’
- represent you at Mental Health Tribunal hearings
- provide case management or advocate on behalf of carers.
Our role is to support you to make your own decisions.
If you require legal help, ask your advocate to put you in touch with Victoria Legal Aid.
You can also contact other support services, such as mental health service providers, drug and alcohol support.
Contact us
You can contact us:
- by phone on 1300 947 820 between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm, 7 days a week
- through our online form
- by email at contact@imha.vic.gov.au
We have First Nations advocates. Let us know if you would like to speak to a First Nations advocate.
If you are in hospital and can’t access a phone, ask a staff member or support person to get in touch with us on your behalf.
By law, we will contact you at key points if you are experiencing compulsory treatment. Learn how to tell us not to contact you.
More information
Updated