service
Free
Our advocacy service provides early, culturally aware support to help people overcome barriers such as language, literacy, and form-filling, and to access housing, benefits, and other essential services before issues reach crisis point.
Key information
Eligibility
Age Group
- Over 16
What is this service?
Our team of IMHAs attend Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health Unit on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and support patients to relay their wishes, feelings, views and needs with ward rounds, discharge planning meetings and assessments.
IMHAs can also support patients on other days of the weeks with meetings and with communication with professionals. IMHAs can also help you to exercise your rights whilst being detained.
IMHAs can help people by supporting them to understand information, gain answers and express concerns about treatment, medication and decisions taken.
Our IMHAs are from HFAN's lead statutory advocacy service provider, Libra Partnership, who have supported residents of Hammersmith and Fulham since 2021.
Good to know
- Cost: Free
- Additional information:
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) is specialised support for people detained or facing restrictions under the Mental Health Act.
You can self refer for support if you are on a Section 2, Section 3, Section 37, Section 41, a Community Treatment Order, a Guardianship Order, or are a restricted patient facing certain treatments.
If someone you know is detained under the Mental Health Act in Hammersmith and Fulham, you can make a referral to us. Advocates will visit the person and seek their consent to be supported before taking any action.
What people say
“What mattered was that you fought for my rights and I shall always remember you in my life because you played a key role in the time that I knew you"