Other Mental Health Services include: Home Care and Social Care Assessments, Care Program Approach Plans, and support with Psychiatric / Psychology / GP Appointments.
Home Care / Social Care Assessments
When you are receiving any type of social or home care package, you may feel that you may not be getting the right support you need from Social Services. You have the right to ask for a review of your circumstances. The local council must provide you with someone to support you if you can’t speak up for yourself or have difficulty understanding others.
If you suffer from a mental illness or are particularly vulnerable, an Independent Advocacy Worker can assist you in helping you organise an assessment, explore your options and make sure your voice is heard when the assessment takes place.
Care Program Approach Plan
A Care Programme Approach (CPA) is a package of care for people with mental health issues. CPA support may be offered from the Department of Psychology or Psychiatry if you have a severe mental disorder, are at risk of suicide, self-harm, have been sectioned in the past, recently been admitted to a psychiatric unit or feel that you need more support than you are getting. You are entitled to an assessment of your needs and to have a care plan that is regularly reviewed. An Independent Advocacy Worker can support you through the process.
Psychiatric / Psychology / GP Appointments
Sometimes you may be asked to attend appointments with your GP, Psychiatrist or Psychology regarding your mental health. These appointments may include the discussion of prescription changes, discussing what may or may not be working with regards to your recovery or addressing concerns that you may have. Independent Advocacy Workers can support you by attending these appointments with you and making sure that your concerns are expressed in the way you want them to be, empowering you to have more control over the decisions which may be made on your behalf.
This is only a snapshot of the services that an Independent Advocacy Worker can offer you regarding Mental Health issues. There are many other ways in which you may receive support. Independent Advocacy is a service completely independent from any other service. Our loyalty is solely to the person that we are supporting and the service is of no charge to you.
If you have an issue that you want to discuss with an Independent Advocacy Worker to see if we can be of service, please contact us.
Mental Health Advocacy
If you are suffering from mental health issues, you have the right by law to independent advocacy whoever and wherever you are in Scotland.
Mental Health Tribunals
A Mental Health Tribunal is an independent organisation set up to make decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders in Scotland.
Compulsory Treatment Orders
A Compulsory Treatment Order (CTO) allows for a person to be treated for their mental illness.
“I felt like I was a person that nobody cared about, but my Advocacy Worker strengthened my confidence.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I never believed that they would listen to me or believe me, but with my Advocacy Worker there, I had a chance to speak and I felt strong that my voice was heard.”
Mental Health Service User“I nearly lost it during my DWP complaint interview, but my Advocacy Worker kept me calm and we got through it together., thank you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“What a good job my Advocacy Worker did for me, as I could have never have gone through this support plan meeting alone.”
Mental Health Service“I was so scared to face my PIP Assessment alone, but with my Advocacy Worker there I felt supported and when I couldn’t think of the words or got confused (due to my stroke), my Advocate spoke up for me.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“When the social worker was asking questions about my past, I said just get them from my SW records. But when she said she couldn’t find them, I just freaked out. But you came along and challenged them, and I got all my records in a matter of a few weeks. Thank you so much.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“After a year of appeals and tribunals, I was finally received a back payment of almost £10,000 for my PIP and ESA. I had just given up. Now I can pay off my bills and move on. Words aren’t enough to show my thanks”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User
“Thank you very much for everything you are doing and have done to help me through all of this. I could not have managed without you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User
“I am so glad you supported me. It was so hard to try and make SW understand what my issues were. Now, they are listening.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User
“I couldn’t explain how I was feeling as I was being rejected and treated unfairly. With Advocacy beside me, I was supported in my situation.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User
“Thanks for helping my son to have access to his children, as he could not have managed without your support.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I could not have done this without you. I really, really, really appreciate it! I was ready for the tribunal because of your excellent work.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank you very much for everything you are doing and have done to help me through all of this. I could not have managed without you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service UserI was so pleased Advocacy arranged help with my electricity bill after I was furloughed. I really appreciate it.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I felt despair, now I have hope for the future. Thank you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t picked up the phone to you…..you’ve been brilliant. I honestly don’t think I could have coped without you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank you, just sat down and studied this, took a while but worth it; you’ve done an amazing job in addressing each detail. ….. Looking at your points noted, I feel it gives even more strength to our case.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank for contacting HR on my behalf, I could not have managed it myself.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service UserI don’t know what I would have done without your encouragement. I feel more empowered now that you are on my side. I think that you should be cloned and one of you put in every organisation in the Western Isles”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User
