INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

Mental Health Advocacy Services

We provide Independent Advocacy Services (IAS) to all the HSE adolescent inpatient units in Ireland, as well as all the Community teams in CHO2, CH04 and CHO9.

We also provide IAS in the Ginesa Suite, the adolescent service in Saint John of God Hospital and Willow Grove, the adolescent unit in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. An Independent Mental Health Advocate supports young people to understand the service provided to them both in an Inpatient unit and in the community, and to enhance their participation in service provision, express their views and make informed decisions.

An Independent Mental Health Advocate’s role is not only to advocate for a young person’s rights but to support a young person to be confident to advocate for themselves and to have their voice heard.

The service enhances the voice and participation of young people and families, to ensure their ownership and involvement