Independent Mental Health Advocacy

Get help

Contact us

You can contact us by phone or email. Use our online form to contact IMHA on behalf of yourself or as a referrer (with consent). You can also provide us feedback or make a complaint. Find out how to contact us if you have hearing or speech difficulties or you would like help in your language.

We will contact you

As of 1 September 2023, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic)External Link states that we will be notified at key points when you are receiving compulsory treatment. We will contact you unless you have told us not to.

Tell us not to contact you

You will need to provide identifying information about yourself so that we can make sure we:

  • don’t try to contact you, and
  • delete the information we receive about your compulsory treatment.

Who we can support

We support people who are subject to, or at risk of, compulsory treatment. Find out if you are eligible.

How we can support you

Advocates can support you to speak up and have someone ‘on your side’ to represent your views, wishes and concerns. We can also provide you with information on your rights and refer you to other services.

Why you might need an advocate

Find out why you might need an advocate, hear a personal account of experience in a psychiatric hospital, and examples of our advocacy.

Information for families and carers

Our service has been funded to help people who are receiving, or at risk of, compulsory mental health treatment. We respect the important role of families and carers, but we do not advocate on their behalf.

Other services that can help

Find out more about other services that can help you.

Reviewed 31 July 2023

IMHA

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