We support people who are receiving, or at risk of receiving, compulsory mental health treatment to make decisions and have as much say as possible about their assessment, treatment and recovery.
Our service is an integral component in realising the reforms and vision of the Mental Health Act 2014.
Our advocates are based in Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Dandenong, but support people across the whole of Victoria.
Our service is independent, free and confidential.
Read more about the Mental Health Act and our approach to advocacy.
Our funding
We are funded by the Victorian Department of Health, but operate independently of government.
We are a service delivered by Victoria Legal Aid. However, we are not a legal service.
Read more about our relationship with Victoria Legal Aid.
Our consumer advisory group
A consumer advisory group ensures that consumer perspectives are central to our services.
Read more about Speaking from Experience.
Our people
Our team is led and staffed by professionals with backgrounds in consumer advocacy, social work and mental health service provision.
Find out more about our people.
Information for services
Mental Health Service Providers can refer people to Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA). Services can:
- call us on 1300 947 820 between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday
- email contact@imha.vic.gov.au, or
- use our online contact form.
For more information about IMHA for services, download our fact sheet or watch out video below.
Your rights as a client of our service
Find out more about:
- how we handle your personal information
- getting access to documents held by us or changing personal information that we hold about you through Freedom of Information
- making a complaint about IMHA.
You can also learn about your rights when you are on a compulsory treatment order.
Contact us
Find out how to contact us if you have a general enquiry or feedback.
Keep informed
Find out what is happening at Independent Mental Health Advocacy by:
- reading our news
- subscribing to Advocacy Matters.
Reviewed 19 January 2023