Information about Independent Rights Advice Service
Eligibility Requirements
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.
If you are under the age of 16, you can ask for help from the Independent Rights Advice Service if:
• You are currently an involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act; OR
• You have been admitted to a hospital or facility because your parent or guardian requested it.
For more information, visit the Who is Eligible section of this website
How To Access A Rights Advisor
Currently, only people experiencing detention and involuntary treatment can access the Independent Rights Advice Service. Support network members cannot book rights advice meetings for themselves but can attend a rights advice meeting with the consent of the person they are supporting.
For more information, visit the How to Access section of this website
Representative for Children and Youth
If you or someone you are supporting is under the age of 16 and had a negative experience while detained and experiencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act, the Representative for Children and Youth may be able to support.
You can find more information on the Representative for Children and Youth below:
Website: rcybc.ca
Email: rcy@rcybc.ca
Phone: 1-800-476-3933
Legal Rights under the Mental Health Act
If you would like basic information about your rights under the Mental Health Act, you can review the materials found on the BC Mental Health Rights website linked below. Please note that some of the information is out of date and updated materials will be added to the Independent Rights Advice website when they are ready.
Website: bcmentalhealthrights.ca/
Mental Health Review Board
If you do not agree with the decision to admit you as an involuntary patient, you can challenge your admission. One way to do this is to ask for a review panel hearing. The panel is independent. There are three people on the panel who will hear your case and decide if you still meet the criteria to be an involuntary patient. . The hearing is free.
To apply for a hearing, fill out Form 7: Application for Review Panel Hearing.
You can contact the Mental Health Review Board for more information about hearings:
Website: bcmhrb.ca
E-mail: MHRBscheduling@gov.bc.ca
Phone (toll free): 1-833-660-2325
Legal Representation at Mental Health Review Board Hearings
When you apply for a hearing, you can ask for free legal help from the Mental Health Law Program. They can connect you with an advocate or lawyer to represent you and help prepare your case.
Website: clasbc.net
E-mail: contact@clasbc.net
Phone (toll free): 1-888-685-6222
Second medical opinions
You can ask for another opinion from a second doctor if you disagree with your treatment. This doctor will assess you and give a second opinion on whether your treatment is appropriate.
To get a second medical opinion, fill out Form 11: Request for Second Medical Opinion.
Concerns about the quality of care
Patient Care Quality Offices
If you want to make a formal complaint regarding the quality of care that you or a loved one has received, or you would like more information about making a complaint, you can contact the Patient Care Quality Office in your health authority.
For the contact information for the Patient Care Quality Office in your health authority, including phone numbers and e-mail address, see www.patientcarequalityreviewboard.ca/makecomplaint.html
Patient Care Quality Review Board
If you have submitted your concerns to the health authority’s Patient Care Quality Office and are not satisfied with how they were handled or the response you received, you can request that the Patient Care Quality Review Board look into the matter.
Website: www.patientcarequalityreviewboard.ca
E-mail: contact@patientcarequalityreviewboard.ca
Phone (toll free): 1-866-952-2448
BC Ombudsperson
The BC Ombudsperson is independent and can help with complaints about public bodies like a mental health facility.
Website: bcombudsperson.ca
E-mail: info@bcombudsperson.ca
Phone (toll free): 1-800-567-3247
If you are supporting someone receiving involuntary treatment and would like more information, please provide your contact information and we will reach out to you.