Understanding Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for people who use services
This accessible five minute film provides a simple but authoritative overview of qualifying patients’ right to independent mental health advocacy. It also covers how advocates can help and what the benefits are for people who use services.
Key messages for practice
- If you are detained, whether you are I hospital or on a community treatment order (CTO), under most sections of the Mental Health Act you have the right to an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA)
- IMHAs are independent – they don’t work for the hospital or mental health services, they work for you
- IMHAs’ can help you get your opinions heard and make sure you know your rights
- IMHAs do not tell you what they would do – they help you to decide what you want
- IMHA is a free service
Who will find this useful?
People who use services, Independent Mental health advocacy providers and Independent mental health advocates.
Downloads
All SCIE resources are free to download, however to access some of the following downloads you will need a free MySCIE account:
Available downloads:
- Download video assets including an mp4 version of the video, a PDF transcript and a SRT subtitles file
- Download video assets including an mp4 version of the video, a PDF transcript and a SRT subtitles file (with audio description and British Sign Language)
- Easy Read: Understanding Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for people who use services
- Understanding Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for people who use services
