Users Support Service.

Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)

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The 1st of April 2009 saw a statutory right to advocacy being introduced under the amendments to the 1983 Mental Health Act.

People detained under a Section 2, 3, 37/41, 47/49 in Hospital or on section 117 leave, SCT, Guardianship or conditionally discharged in the community are classed as “Qualifying patients”

Informal patients who are being considered for neurosurgery for mental disorder or implanting of hormones to reduce male sex drive are also classed as qualifying patients as are patients under 18 who are being considered for electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) or medication relating to ECT.

Advocates who will receive further specialised training will be called

Independent Mental Health Advocates

(IMHA)




Informal patients in hospital and in the community

Users Support Service will continue to also provide advocacy for any patients who request it.



Supporting people

People living in Supporting People housing will see no change to their service.




To re-assure our current service users - The same team of advocates as at present will continue to offer advocacy as described above. We have supplemented our team of advocates to cope with the extra work that will come our way from this new service.

USS is very proud to have been awarded this new contract.

If you would like some information on this service please contact our Advocacy Manager:

Lorraine Sleight

USS is a registered charity, no. 1079933.