Mental Health Advocacy
At My Voice, we provide mental health advocacy to individuals being assessed or treated by specialist mental health services, both in the community and on psychiatric wards.
This service is free, independent and confidential, and is available to:
- Anyone under assessment or treatment for a psychiatric illness
- Patients detained or “sectioned” in hospital
- Anyone being treated under the Mental Health Law
- Anyone who has their freedom restricted under the Mental Health law
- Elderly patients being assessed or treated by the Mental Health Teams
Our qualified mental health advocates guarantee that the rights and choices of those individuals are protected, and they have access to all the support they need. Nobody should be excluded when decisions are being made about their care. We listen to the views and wishes of our clients and ensure their voices are heard.
My Voice works independently from any other service; our advocates are not hampered by conflicts of interest and work in partnership with our clients.
There are many ways our mental health advocates can provide help and support, including:
- Preparing clients for consultations with psychiatrists and accompanying them to the meetings
- Appealing to the Mental Health Review Tribunal and being present throughout the process
- Accessing specialist legal advice
- Offering advice as to the most appropriate services available and support to access them
- Challenging any discrimination clients may be experiencing
- Making complaints
Referrals
To be eligible for our mental health advocacy services, our clients must have been diagnosed with a mental illness AND be in receipt of a secondary service.
Referrals can be made either via telephone or email. Relevant background information is helpful although consent should be sought and obtained from the individual.