Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
IMHA is a free and confidential service that provides information and advocacy for people who are receiving, or concerned about receiving, compulsory mental health treatment under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic). IMHA advocates are independent of mental health services and support people to understand their rights and have a say in decisions about their treatment, care and recovery.
Advocates are based in Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Dandenong, and support people across Victoria.
IMHA goals
The IMHA approach to advocacy is guided by the principles of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (the Act). The Act promotes voluntary treatment wherever possible and focuses on recovery.
IMHA aligns with these principles for the provision of mental health services:
- they are to be delivered in the least restrictive way possible
- they will promote recovery and full participation in community life
- people who are subject to compulsory treatment have the right to take part in decisions about their own assessment, treatment and recovery
- respect for the rights, dignity and autonomy of people with a mental illness.
Community Visitors
Community Visitors are independent volunteers appointed by the Governor in Council. They provide an important quality and safety oversight role by visiting and monitoring mental health inpatient units, Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) services, and residential facilities.
Community Visitors help protect and promote the health, safety, wellbeing and rights of people receiving mental health and wellbeing services. They have powers to visit and inspect facilities, speak privately with people receiving services, and inquire into the quality of care, accommodation, support and recovery opportunities. They can also help people resolve concerns, access support and advocacy services, and make complaints to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.
The Community Visitors Program is administered by the Office of the Public Advocate. Community Visitors can visit facilities without notice and are independent of the services they visit. People receiving mental health and wellbeing services, as well as their families, carers and supporters, can request a visit from a Community Visitor. When a request is made, the service must notify the Office of the Public Advocate within two business days.
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
VMIAC is Victoria's peak non-government organisation for people with lived experience of mental illness, psychological distress and emotional challenges.
The organisation promotes and protects the rights of people with lived experience and supports their participation in decisions that affect their lives.
VMIAC provides:
- information, mutual support and self-help programs
- advocacy
- consumer-led research and evaluation
- education and training.
Community advocates work with individuals, groups and services to uphold rights and represent people's views, wishes and needs.
VMIAC supports lived experience participation in the development and improvement of mental health services, policies and programs across Victoria.
Tandem - promoting family and carer involvement
Tandem is Victoria's peak body for families and carers of people experiencing mental illness and emotional distress.
Tandem promotes family and carer involvement in the treatment, planning and decision-making of people with a mental illness, as well as advocating for the needs of families and carers.
Tandem delivers:
- research and evaluation to improve the quality of the mental health system
- advocacy work to promote better policy outcomes for families, carers and supporters
- training and education for mental health professionals
- a Carer Support Fund to help carers in their role.
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