Reason for Enquiry

Help with a detention (section) under the Mental Health Act

Independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) support people with issues relating to their care and treatment when they have been detained (sectioned) under the Mental Health Act. They also help people understand their rights under the Mental Health Act.

You have a right to help from an advocate if you’re detained (sectioned) under the Mental Health Act.

Which of the following applies to you?

We need to know the date you were sectioned as we may need to respond within a certain timeframe.

Detained under sectionSubject to a Community Treatment OrderSubject to guardianshipBeing considered for S58A treatmentBeing considered for S57 treatment Being considered for Electro-Convulsive TherapyInformal patient on a mental health ward

If you were detained, please provide the date of detention

If you were admitted to hospital, please provide the date of admission

Please tell us the section you were detained under

Further details

Making a complaint about an NHS service

For support to make a complaint, please tell us about the situation.

We cannot help with completing forms for financial claims or benefits of any kind. If that’s what you need help with, contact your local Citizen’s Advice service.

What is the name of the NHS service the complaint is about?

For example, the name of the hospital or surgery. If you are complaining about a member of staff, put in their place of work.

Please tell us a bit more about the complaint

What outcome are you looking for?

Complaints about an NHS service will not usually result in disciplinary action against an individual or financial compensation.

an acknowledgement of mistakes that have been madean apology from the servicea change to a doctor or care providerevidence that changes have been made to a process so that others don’t experience the sameother

Further details

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Help with a detention (section) under the Mental Health Act

Independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) support people with issues relating to their care and treatment when they have been detained (sectioned) under the Mental Health Act. They also help people understand their rights under the Mental Health Act.

Making a complaint about an NHS service

For support to make a complaint, please tell us about the situation.