Rights Advisors can 

  • Explain your rights under the Mental Health Act and answer any questions you might have. 
  • Explain the Mental Health Review Board review panel process. If you would like to request a review of your involuntary status and detention, a Rights Advisor can also help you apply. 
  • Tell you your options if you have concerns about your treatment. They can also help you ask for a second medical opinion on your treatment. 
  • Give you information about how to find a lawyer or other legal support. 
  • Help you find out if you are eligible for legal aid. 

Rights Advisors cannot 

  • Represent individuals at a Mental Health Review Board hearing or court proceeding. 
  • Give legal advice or recommendations about what someone “should” do. 

What happens during a Rights Advice meeting? 

  • Once you have signed in virtually, by phone or in person, the Rights Advisor will introduce themselves, explain their role and what they can do to support you. They will ask if you are in a private space, as all rights advice meetings are confidential. 
  • If you feel safe to do so you will share your experience, including any questions or concerns you may have about your care while in the facility. 
  • The Rights Advisor will go through your rights under the Mental Health Act as listed on Form 13, taking time to explain what they mean and how to act on your rights if you choose to do so. 
  • The Rights Advisor will support you to fill out forms or access resources as requested. 
  • You are in control of the meeting, which means that Rights Advisors will take cues from you. You can take breaks, or even end the meeting if you choose. 
  • Rights Advice meetings are not intended to be ongoing relationships. To serve as many people as possible, Rights Advisors typically meet on a one-off basis. 

If I am supporting someone experiencing involuntary treatment, what can I expect from a Rights Advice meeting? 

  • The Independent Rights Advice Service allows patients to request the presence of a member of their support network at their meeting if they choose. You will be notified by email if you have been requested to join a rights advice meeting. 
  • Your role will be to support the patient as they learn about their rights under the Mental Health Act and make decisions for themselves. 
  • You may have the option to support by filling out forms on the patient’s behalf if they request. 
  • Meetings with a Rights Advisor are confidential. Information discussed within the meeting will not be shared with you as a family member or supporter unless the patient has requested your presence as a member of their support network. 
  • Rights Advice meetings are not intended to be ongoing relationships. To serve as many people as possible, Rights Advisors typically meet on a one-off basis.