It can be confusing when made involuntary.
Being made involuntary is a decision made by your doctor. This also means you are under an Inpatient Treatment Order.
The Mental Health Advocacy Service have advocates who can help you.
Our Advocates are not part of any health system, government department or treatment team. And our service is free of charge.
We can help people under the age of 18yrs who are:
- An involuntary patient in hospital or mental health unit
- A patient in an emergency department awaiting examination by a psychiatrist
- Anyone on a Community Treatment Order.
We can also assist people under the age of 18yrs in other situations. Please see our Voluntary Patients publication.
Your rights as an involuntary patient
Show moreYou have the right to:
- Be informed of your rights
- Participate in making your treatment, support and discharge plan
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Be safe and respected
- A further opinion
- A Mental Health Tribunal review
- An Advocate
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander under the age of 18yrs, you may have other rights.
Talk to your Advocate.
Parents or guardians
An Advocate can help you understand your rights when you child is in hospital.
What you can expect
Show moreThings you should know:
- An Advocate will visit you within 24 hours of being made involuntary and can support you during your admission.
- An involuntary order lasts up to 14 days.
- The psychiatrist can extend or revoke the involuntary order.
- You will have a Mental Health Tribunal within 19 days to review the order.
An Advocate can help you understand what is going on.
They can:
- Arrange a meeting with your doctor or treating team
- Attend with you at Mental Health Tribunal hearings
- Seek to resolve issues that are concerning you at the facility
- Participate in Treatment, Support and Discharge Planning meetings
- Request a Further Opinion
- Make and resolve complaints
- Advocate for your physical health needs to be met
- Discuss leave from the ward with your treating team
- Access culturally appropriate care
- Access other services including lawyers
Mental Health Tribunal
The Mental Health Tribunal is an independent decision-making body established by the Mental Health Act 2014 to safeguard the rights of involuntary patients in Western Australia.
The Tribunal’s main job is to review every involuntary treatment order made by a psychiatrist in Western Australia. However, the Tribunal can also decide many other questions under the Act.
For more information speak to your Advocate or visit the Mental Health Tribunal WA website - What we do section.
About mental health advocates
Show moreMental health advocates offer a free and independent service who:
- Help young people with mental illness know and protect their rights
- Use a 'best interest' approach
- Represent your views to the treating team
- Can work with your parents and guardians to provide support
