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Advocacy

  • Overview
  • Advocacy help
  • Types
  • Finding advocates
  • Making a complaint

You might have found it difficult to get what you want from the NHS or social services. Advocates can help you to express your concerns, get information and explore options for moving forward. This section explains more about what advocates do. And how they can help you and how you can find one near you.

  • There are different types of advocates depending on what you need.
  • Advocates can help you understand your rights and get services.
  • They can talk to people on your behalf or help you to speak for yourself.
  • Advocates are independent of the NHS and social services.
  • Advocates are usually free of charge.
  • If you are in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, you can get an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA).
  • If you cannot make decisions for yourself, an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) can sometimes help.
  • You might like help with being involved in decisions to do with your care and support provided by the local authority. You may be able to get an independent advocate.
  • If you would like to make a complaint about the NHS, an NHS Complaints Advocacy Service can help.

This section covers:

  1. How can an advocate help?
  2. What kinds of advocacy are there?
  3. How can I find an advocate?
  4. How can I complain about an advocate?

These pages are created by Rethink Mental Illness' Advice and Information Service in accordance with the Information Standard. Last reviewed in March 2017. Next review March 2020.

Find local support

Find services and support groups near you

We provide a range of services nationally, including advocacy, carer support, crisis services and more.

Click here to find groups and services in your area

Need practical advice & info? We can help.

Contact our Advice team about mental health & related issues

0300 5000 927 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4pm, not including bank holidays

Find Services & Groups

Crisis contacts

Samaritans

Call: 

116 123 (UK)
116 123 (ROI)

Or Email jo@samaritans.org

NHS Direct

Call 111
Operate 24/7

Should be able to provide details of local crisis support services or advise on accessing local A&E

More crisis contacts...

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Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for the millions of people affected by mental Illness. For 40 years we have brought people together to support each other through our services, groups and campaign.


Rethink Mental Illness
Registered Office 89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP United Kingdom

0300 5000 927 info@rethink.org

Registered in England Number 1227970. Registered Charity Number 271028.

Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for the millions of people affected by mental Illness by bringing people together through our groups, services and our campaigning.
Rethink Mental Illness
89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP United Kingdom 0121 522 7007 info@rethink.org
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