Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) Service

We are an independent voice for individuals with mental health difficulties who have been detained under the Mental Health Act (1983) or living in Bexley Borough and subject to Supervised Community Treatment.

Our advocates work as Independent Mental Health Advocates for the Bexley Advocacy Service.

The patient groups covered include:

  • Adults aged 18-65 years
  • Older adults 65 years +

Who qualifies for an IMHA?

  • Detained patients currently in hospital, except those on emergency Section.
  • Individuals residing in the London Borough of Bexley on Community Treatment Orders (CTO).
  • Informal patients discussing the possibility of serious treatment such as Neurosurgery for mental disorder, or ECT for under 18s.

We can help by

  • Listening to your concerns.
  • Ensuring that you are involved in your care and treatment as much as possible.
  • Inform you of your rights under the Mental Health Act (1983).
  • Providing you with information to help you make your own choices.
  • Supporting you to state your point of view in meetings (such as ward rounds and Care Plan Approach meetings).
  • Empowering you to feel more confident about speaking up in relation to your care and treatment.
  • Supporting you to make a complaint if you are unhappy with any aspect of your care & treatment whilst detained under the Mental Health Act (1983).

Confidentiality 

  • We will not discuss what you/we have talked about with anyone else without your permission.
  • We will only seek information with your permission and information obtained, will be shared with you in full (exceptions will apply and these can be explained to you by your Advocate).
  • We will only breach confidentiality if you express anything that is considered to pose a risk of harm to yourself or others. In this situation, we will notify a member of staff but will continue to support you if you wish.

Referral process

  • You should be told by staff at the NHS Trust where you are detained about your rights to an IMHA, both verbally and in writing.
  • You will be asked if you want to see an IMHA.
  • You can telephone the IMHA Service for an appointment to see an IMHA on: 020 3961 7846.
  • Additionally, there is an online referral form 
  • You will then meet with an IMHA within 3 working days.

If you would like to talk to us about how we might be able to support you, please call 020 3961 7846.