What is IMHA?
What Does an IMHA Do?
Who Can Access IMHA support?
Who can make an IMHA referral?
What is
IMHA?
An Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) supports people who are detained under the Mental Health Act or subject to certain provisions of the Act. IMHAs helps individuals understand their legal rights, treatment options, and the processes affecting their care. IMHAs are independent of the clinical team and work solely to represent the person’s views, wishes, and interests.
What Does an
IMHA Do?
An IMHA can:
- Explain a person’s rights under the Mental Health Act
- Help them to understand their care and treatment
- Support them to participate in meetings and ward rounds
- Help them to express their wishes and concerns
- Assist with appeals or tribunals if appropriate
The advocate ensures the person’s voice is heard and their rights are upheld.
Who Can Access
IMHA support?
IMHA support is available for people who are:
- Detained under the Mental Health Act under Sections 2, 3, 37 and 41
- Subject to Community Treatment Orders (CTOs)
- Conditionally discharged
- Under a Guardianship order
- Informal patients discussing certain treatments
*Eligibility is defined under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended).
Who can make an
IMHA referral?
IMHA services are usually accessed through:
- Direct requests from the individual receiving care
- Hospital staff
- Mental health professionals such as AMHPs or consultants
- Care coordinators
- Requests from friends and family members
Information about how to contact the IMHA service should be on patients’ admission paperwork and in addition, leaflets and posters should be visible in mental health in-patient and out-patient sites.
