Mental Health guide
Having more say
It is now generally recognised that you are an expert in your own treatment and care. You should be involved in decisions about that treatment and care. You also have an important viewpoint that can help to plan services. There are several ways in which you can have your say, including:-
- Advocacy – aimed at ensuring that you have a strong and central voice in how your own care and treatment is planned and delivered, and that you get your full rights as a citizen.
- Feedback – telling people what you think of a service, including praise, can be a very important influence. Many organisations will ask you for feedback. It should always be optional.
- Appeals – if you are detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act you can challenge the reason at an independent tribunal.
- Complaints – all organisations you deal with should have their own complaints procedure. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can take a complaint to a higher body.
- 'Involvement' – an increasing number of mental health service users are now getting involved in how services are planned and delivered. This can be done through a variety of forums and committees. In some cases training and payment is available.
- Campaigning – some people get involved in trying to change things in mental health services, through campaigning. This might be on something very local, such as how a day centre operates, or something that effects a huge number of people, such as a new law.
Barriers to having more say
You may come across a number of barriers that make it difficult for you to have your say, including:-
- Stigma – your views may not be respected because you use or have used mental health services
- Access – how do you find out where to go, or who to speak to, to make a difference?
- Jargon – professional language includes words which you may find intimidating or meaningless
- Language – you may not speak English (or it may not be your first language) and you may not be able to get an interpreter
- Disability – you may need help in expressing your views
- Working practices – when and where meetings are held, the style and etiquette, short deadlines and an insider atmosphere can all put people off
- Time – there can be a lot of long meetings, which fail to make clear decisions – particularly frustrating and isolating if you are not being paid to be there and everyone else is!
- Money – many organisations appear to expect users to give their time and expertise without pay. The real costs of involvement include travel, sustenance (food and drink!), phone calls, postage, publications, writing materials, child-care or respite care, even loss of earnings.
Organisations should be prepared to try and overcome these barriers.