If you are at risk of being placed on a compulsory treatment order or have been placed on a compulsory treatment order our advocates can support you to have your say about your assessment, treatment and recovery.
Call us on 1300 947 820 between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday, use our online form or email contact@imha.vic.gov.au.
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.
Our independent advocates can:
- listen to what you want and talk to you about your options
- give you information and support to act on your rights
- work with you so you can have your say
- refer you to other services if requested.
Our service is independent, free and confidential.
Call us
Call us on 1300 947 820 if you are on a compulsory treatment order.
If you are eligible for our service, we can:
- give you information about your rights over the phone
- support you to speak up about your assessment, treatment and recovery
- advocate for what you want.
The kind of support we can provide will depend on your situation. If we can’t help you, we may be able to refer you to other services who can. You can also call 1800 959 353 to hear a free recording of your rights under the Mental Health Act 2014. This phone line is available 24 hours a day.
Find out how to contact us if you have hearing or speech difficulties.
Help in another language
If you don’t speak English or it is your second language, please call the Translating and Interpreting on 131 450 and ask to be put through to Independent Mental Health Advocacy on 1300 947 820.
All calls are confidential, and interpreters must respect your privacy. You can use your first name only when calling.
Download our language cards
We have c ards in different languages that provide information on how to get help:
- IMHA-Language Card-Arabic
- IMHA-Language Card-Standard Chinese
- IMHA-Language Card-Traditional Chinese
- IMHA language card - Dari
- IMHA language card - Greek
- IMHA language card - Italian
- IMHA language card - Macedonian
- IMHA language card - Persian
- IMHA language card - Serbian
- IMHA language card - Spanish
- IMHA language card - Turkish
- IMHA langauge card - Vietnamese
- IMHA postcard - Indigenous design
Online contact form
Use our online form to contact IMHA on behalf of yourself or as a referrer (with consent).
Supporting you to have your say
We can support you to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to self-advocate.
We can:
- work with you to identify your strengths and what you would like to say
- assist you to prepare for discussions with your treating team or other services
- support you to back up what you want to say by helping you gather information.
You can also read our Know your rights information.
Advocating for what you want
Depending on your situation, we can support you further by communicating with your treating team and supporting you to have your say.
Our advocates will listen and not judge. We work with you to ensure your voice is heard.
Our outreach service
We provide an outreach service to:
public hospitals with inpatient psychiatric wards
community health services such as community care units and prevention and recovery care services.
Call us on 1300 947 820 between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday or email contact@imha.vic.gov.au to find out when we will be visiting.
Eligibility for our service
We support people who are subject to, or at risk of, compulsory treatment.
Find out if you are eligible.
What to expect from our services
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.
Read more about what to expect from our services.
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.
Reviewed 09 March 2023