Mental Health Advocacy | Blackpool Advocacy

	*Mental Health Advocacy really gives a voice to Mental Health patients. No one listened before...*

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Are you an informal patient with mental health needs? Do you need help in accessing services? Do you understand your rights and opinons?

We listen to the needs of the individual and take time to explore their options helping them to look realistically at those options, discuss the consequences of their decision making and consider alternatives.

An Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) will support people who are detained under some sections of the Mental Health Act to help them get their voice heard.

- You are deatained under the Mental Health Act
   (excluding those subject to Sections 4, 5(2), 5(4), 135
   and 136.
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- Subject to Guardianship (Section 7)
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- On a community treatment order.
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- Being considered for section 57 or 58a treatment (if under
   18 years of age).

.IMHA's help patients obtain information about and to understand:

- Your rights under the Act and the parts that apply to you.
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- The rights other people have in relation to you under the
   Act.
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- Any medical treatment that you are receiving or might
   receive.
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- Any conditions or restrictions placed on you.
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- Mental Health Tribunals along with supporting you
   through the process.
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- Explaining your rights under the Mental Health Act 1983,
Human Rights Act 1998 and Health and Social Care Act 2001.
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- Providing information for you to make your own decisions about
your mental health issues.
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- Support to get your views heard with the Community Mental
Health Teams on decisions that affect your care.

- Support you during a Care Programme Approach (CPA)
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- Signposting and support in accessing appropriate services.

This service is available to Blackpool residents between the ages of 16 and 65 who are in receipt of or require specialist mental health services.