Rights and restrictions

If you or a loved one has a mental illness then there may be some restrictions that you should be aware of, such as driving and insurance. This section tells you all you need to know.

Access to health records

This section looks at your right to see your health records and how to do this. It explains what to do if you think the information on your health records is wrong. On this page, when we say ‘record’ or ‘records’, we mean your health record. This information is for adults affected by mental illness in England. It’s also for their loved ones and carers and anyone interested in this subject.

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Driving and mental illness

You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you have certain mental illnesses. Or if your medication affects your driving. This section explains how and when to tell the DVLA about your illness or medication. It explains what could happen when you tell the DVLA and how to challenge a decision if you think it is wrong. This section is for people affected by severe mental illness.

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Clinical negligence

This section tells you what clinical negligence is. It explains the difference between a clinical negligence claim and making a complaint. There is also information about how you can get legal funding for claims. This section is for adults affected by mental illness in England and their loved ones and carers. It’s also for anyone else interested in the subject.

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Planning for your care - Advance statements and advance decisions

This section may be helpful if you are worried that you won’t be able to make decisions for yourself in the future. It looks at what an advance statement and an advance decision is. It explains how to make them and what happens if they aren’t followed by professionals. This section is for people who experience mental health issues and their carers.

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Advocacy for mental health

Advocacy can help if you are having issues with NHS or social services. This section explains more about what advocates do, how they can help you and how you can find one. This information is for adults affected by mental illness in England and their carers and loved ones. It’s also for anyone interested in the subject.

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Legal advice - Getting help from a solicitor

This section explains how you can find legal help from a solicitor or elsewhere. It tells you about when you might get help to pay for this. This information is for anyone affected by mental illness who needs legal advice.

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NHS Treatment - Your rights

This section is about your rights when you use NHS services. It explains how NHS staff should act towards you, and what treatment you may get.

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Second opinions - About your mental health diagnosis or treatment

This information explains why you might ask for a second opinion and how to ask for it. You don’t have a legal right to a second opinion, but you can ask for one. We also look at what your options are if you ask for a second opinion and don’t get one. This information is for people over 18 and in England with a mental health condition. It’s also for their carers, friends or relatives and anyone interested in the subject.

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Complaining about the NHS or social services

This section explains how you can make a complaint about the NHS or social services and what support you can get. This information is for people affected by mental illness in England who are 18 or over and their carers, relatives and friends.

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Criminal convictions

You may have a conviction if you have admitted to or been found guilty of a crime. This page looks at what is a criminal conviction, a criminal record and when and how to tell someone about this. This page is for people with mental illness who may have been involved with the criminal justice system. And their carers, friends and relatives.

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What is a criminal record check? DBS checks and mental health

Employers will ask for a criminal record check if you are applying for a job that involves regular work with children or vulnerable adults. These are known as DBS checks. This section explains what these checks are and how you can find out what information is held about you. There’s information about what to do if you are unhappy with the information on your certificate. This information is for adults affected by mental illness in England. It’s also for their loved ones and carers and anyone interested in this subject.

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Confidentiality of your information about your mental health

Many different organisations will need to record information about you. For example, health professionals need to keep information about your treatment. This page explains how organisations should protect the information you give them. This page is for people who live with mental illness.

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Challenging cuts to mental health services

Sometimes local authorities or the NHS make cuts or closures to mental health services. They may say this is needed to modernise services, or for financial reasons. It is possible for you to challenge cuts or closures and this section suggests ways you can do this. This section is for people living with mental illness, their carers and anyone else who wants to challenge cuts.

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Work and mental illness - Getting a job

Many people find work is important for their mental health and that work helps them feel good about themselves. You may have stopped working because of mental illness and now feel ready to go back. This page explains your options for finding work. This page is for people with mental illness who are looking for work and their carers.

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