If you are 16 years of age or older, you can ask for help from the Independent Rights Advice Service if you are currently an involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act.
This means either:
- You are detained in a hospital or facility and are not permitted to move freely or leave as you wish (section 22); or
- You are on extended leave (through a facility under section 22). This means you may live outside a hospital or facility, but you have to meet conditions like living in a specific place, having a curfew, taking your medication in front of witnesses, or going to mandatory appointments.
If you are under the age of 16, you can ask for help from the Independent Rights Service if:
- You are currently an involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act (section 22); or
- You have been admitted to a hospital or facility after your parent or guardian requested it (section 20).
If you are unsure if you are an involuntary patient (section 22) or if your parent or guardian requested your admission (section 20), you can ask your treatment team.
Only people experiencing detention and involuntary treatment can access the Independent Rights Advice Service. A support network member cannot book Rights Advice meetings for themselves but can attend a Rights Advice meeting with the consent of the patient they are supporting.
What is an involuntary patient?
Involuntary patient means that you don’t have a choice about your psychiatric treatment or whether you can leave a hospital or facility. If you are unsure if you are an involuntary patient, you can ask your treatment team. You may still be an involuntary patient if you left the hospital or facility. Involuntary treatment, also known as involuntary psychiatric treatment or involuntary commitment, refers to mental health treatment that is administered to a person without their consent.