Advocacy

Advocacy is about enabling people to say what they want, obtaining their rights and gaining the services that they need.

The information on this page and more can be found in our Advocacy (149 kb) [pdf] factsheet.

What is advocacy?

People are entitled to be in control of their lives but sometimes, through mental illness, they may find themselves in a position where their ability to exercise choice or represent their own interests is limited. In these circumstances an advocate can help to make sure that your views are heard, respected and acted upon.

get help

Advocacy support is needed in the mental health services because people who use them can feel disempowered by the rules and procedures and also sometimes by the professionals providing services.  For this reason some people feel their views are not heard or they cannot get the services they need. Advocates can help someone in hospital as well as someone living in the community.

Patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act have a legal right to an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA).  IMHAs can help patients to find out about their rights and how to exercise them. 

How do I find an advocate?

Advocates are used by people with a number of disabilities and it is important that you find an advocate who has experience of working in the mental health field and with people with mental health problems.

Advocacy services are scattered across the country. For more information on finding an advocacy service, contact your local community mental health team or the Rethink Advice and Information Service. An organisation called Action for Advocacy also has a database of advocates across the country including IMHA and IMCA services.

What are the different types of advocacy?

Depending on your situation, you might be entitled to either an Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHA) or an Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs)

The five different kinds of advocacy are:

  • Formal advocacy is usually run by groups like Rethink. You may meet a formal advocate on a ward or you may have to go to their office. Sometimes they may visit you at home. Formal advocacy tends to be one-to-one and is independent of mental health and social services.
  • Citizen advocacy is usually run by groups which are generally not user-led. Citizen advocates form a long-term relationship; often with someone who is socially excluded, they help them to speak and act for what they want. You will often meet with your citizen’s advocate in a social setting, and will probably have a more personal relationship than the one you have with a formal advocate.
  • Peer advocacy is where the advocate is also a service user. Peer advocates can either act in the role of a formal advocate or in the role of a citizen’s advocate depending on the project.
  • Self advocacy is where someone represents their own interests; it is usually carried out with the support of a local self advocacy group.
  • Group advocacy is a term sometimes used to describe what happens when a group of advocates act collectively over an issue which affects a large number of its members.
  • Legal advocacy services provide advice and representation in courts and tribunals. They are provided by legally qualified advocates, usually solicitors or barristers. You will often have to pay for this kind of advocacy, although you may be entitled to legal aid.