New report shows growing need for mental health advocacy

Independent Mental Health Advocacy’s (IMHA) latest data shows a 6.5% increase in notifications of people experiencing compulsory mental health treatment and restrictive interventions.

In Victoria, when someone is placed on a compulsory mental health treatment order, IMHA is automatically notified and reaches out to offer support – unless the person has chosen not to be contacted. Our advocates help consumers understand and exercise their rights, and ensure they have a say in their assessment, treatment, care and recovery.

Each notification represents an impactful interaction, from the use of restraint to changes in treatment orders.

IMHA’s second report on the opt-out register, released today, shows that from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025, IMHA received 53,718 notifications related to 10,927 individual consumers.

More consumers want IMHA support, with only 5.7% (down from 7.8% last year) of all consumers opting out of advocacy assistance or being contacted by IMHA.

This ‘opt-out’ model was introduced through the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 and was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System in 2021.

‘These figures reflect both the growing need for independent mental health advocacy and support, and the trust consumers place in IMHA to walk alongside them at times of distress and need in their lives,’ said Helen Makregiorgos, IMHA’s Associate Director.

‘In the second year of the opt-out model, we are supporting more people with information and support to express their views and preferences than ever before.

‘We are proud of this work and remain committed to ensuring every person subject to, or at risk of, compulsory treatment gets access to the services they say they need.’

Building cultural safety

For the second consecutive year, the report captures the over-representation of First Peoples receiving compulsory treatment in Victoria. Almost 6% of consumers are First Peoples, despite First Peoples making up just 1% of Victoria’s population.

Other key findings in the report include:

• increased IMHA services to 57,596 from 44,644 in 2023–24
• increased young people accessing our services
• continued delays in receiving notifications for seclusion and restrictive interventions from health services.

We continue to receive positive feedback from consumers, with 90% saying they felt listened to, respected and supported to communicate with their treating team.

Of all of the referrals IMHA made, 35% were for legal advice and/or representation to the Mental Health 
Legal Rights Service – a 13% increase from the previous year.

There continues to be unmet demand for the Second Psychiatric Opinion Service, causing significant wait times for consumers and no access for others, limiting their options. Under the Act, people on a treatment order have the right to seek a second opinion by a psychiatrist who can review and recommend changes to treatment.

Staying the course for reform

‘IMHA’s role in providing transparency and oversight on compulsory treatment in Victoria is unique and critical – we hope this data and identified themes will inform ongoing improvement to our mental health and wellbeing system so that it centres rights, supported decision-making and recovery,’ said Helen.

‘There is still more work to be done to realise the intentions of the royal commission and deliver on its recommendations.

‘As a service that is grounded in lived experience expertise, we continue to call for momentum that results in a truly rights-based and consumer-centred approach.’

‘Thank you so much for helping me out and finding my voice in the community. I really appreciate every second of it and hearing you guys talk makes me feel heard.’ – IMHA consumer

More information

Read last year's report.

How to get help from IMHA

Media enquiries

Please contact Senior Communications Advisor Crys Ja at crys.ja@vla.vic.gov.au or 0457 483 780.