Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) What is the role of an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA)?An IMHA is an independent advocate who is trained in the Mental Health Act 1983 and supports people to understand their rights under the Act and participate in decisions about their care and treatment. Our advocates are not employed by the NHS or any private healthcare provider and they provide free, independent and confidential support. Who can be supported by an IMHA?You can receive the support of an IMHA if you are:Detained under the Mental Health Act (even if you are currently on leave of absence from hospital) excluding sections 4, 5(2), 5(4), 135 or 136A conditionally discharged restricted patientSubject to Guardianship under the ActReceiving Supervised Community Treatment (SCT).Being considered for a treatment to which section 57 applies (“a section 57 treatment”)Under 18 and being considered for electro-convulsive therapy or any other treatment to which section 58A applies (“a section 58A treatment”).The NHS and private providers of care for detained patients have a legal duty to provide information about IMHA support to all eligible people. They must also support communication and referrals for those patients who wish to use the IMHA service.How can an IMHA help me?Being detained under the Mental Health Act can be a frightening and confusing experience. Our advocates can help you to understand:The reasons for your detention and how to appeal against this detention using the Mental Health Review Tribunal processYour rights under the Mental Health Act and the safeguards that apply to youAny conditions or restrictions which apply to youThe medical treatment you are receiving or might be givenThe requirements that would apply in connection with the treatmentOur IMHA can also support you to:Access information. We can ensure that information given to you is presented in an appropriate and understandable formatBetter understand about what is happening to youExplore options and be involved in decisions about your care and treatmentPrepare for meetings, tribunals, Hospital Managers Hearings, CPAs and ward rounds. An Advocate can support you in these meetings to ensure your voice is heardTalk with staff and make your views knownRaise queries or concerns about the treatment that you are receivingWhat rights do IMHAs have?IMHAs have the right to:Have access to wards and units so they can visit patientsSee you in private unless you are under close observation or in seclusion, or clinical staff advise against it for safety reasonsAttend meetings with staff where you ask for thisMeet with and hold discussions with professionals involved in your careAccess relevant patient records when you give your permission for this. Where patients does not have capacity to consent to an IMHA having access to their records, the record holder should allow access to the records if doing so is necessary for the IMHA to carry out their role effectively. How do I get support from an IMHA?If you think you qualify for this service you can refer yourself for support or you can ask a member of the ward staff, a responsible clinician, or an Approved Mental Health Professional, to refer you for IMHA support. We're sorry but <%= htmlWebpackPlugin.options.title %> doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable it to continue.
