Mental Health Legal Centre
- Project: Advance Statements for Improved Recovery Journeys
- Amount: $250,000 over 2 years
- Year(s) Funded: 2015
Maximising autonomy, dignity and control
The Victorian Mental Health Act 2014 aims to ensure that people receiving treatment for mental illness are involved in all decisions about their assessment, treatment and recovery, and have their views and preferences respected through the use of Advance Statements. Mental Health Legal Centre is working to embed Advance Statements across legal, health and government sectors.
“Advance Statements obtained when the patient is at a stable optimal point and able to involve their carers or advocates in defining their wishes for future care, are an integral initiative established in the new Act.” John Serry, Psychiatrist member, Mental Health Tribunal
In 2014 Victoria became the first state to legally recognise Advance Statements. Advance Statements help consumers to have a greater say in how they are treated when receiving compulsory treatment. This includes information about what treatments have been effective in the past and those that have been less effective or have had unwelcome side effects. It can also include views on receiving Electro Convulsive Treatment.
Snapshot:
- The Advance Statement is based on a collaborative approach between the consumer, the treating team and legal practitioners to build a platform for treatment and recovery that considers a patient’s treatment preferences.
- The Centre provides mental health services with critical independent legal assistance and staff training to enable clients to develop their own effective, person-centred Advance Statements
- Advance Statement clinics are delivered on a fortnightly or monthly basis co-located at Saltwater Clinic, Thomas Embling Hospital and Orygen, increasing both practitioners’ and consumers’ knowledge and understanding of Advance Statements.
- Statewide telephone support services are delivered to regional mental health services and lawyers.
- RMIT is developing a technology-based solution to assist people in completing the forms.
Advance Statement Information Booklet