My Bill Of Rights

As users of the mental health services I believe we should have the following rights:

To be treated with respect and dignity

To receive help when we need it

To be consulted in our own treatment and be a central part of the care team

To be listened to and taken seriously

To suggest new options and not have them dismissed without serious discussion

To change psychiatrist, key worker, OT or psychologist if the relationship in not helpful

To have the opportunity to work on issues that affect our mental health through counselling and/or therapy

To have all out concerns and complaints listened to and acted upon

To have some consistency in our care – it’s difficult to build up a relationship with a professional if they keep changing

To be given information about our ‘condition’, treatment options and alternative lines of thought

To have our carers, or someone close to us, involved in decision making if we choose

To have access to appropriate crisis support 24/7

To be able to choose alternatives to admission into hospital – including small crisis homes, respite and support in our own homes

To have a care plan, which we co-wrote, that is individual to us and helps us move forward

To be supported by an advocate (and to be told what services are available)

To get a second opinion from an independent specialist if we feel we need one

To have information on medication easily available and thus have to power to choose which options we are happy with

To be able to refuse a specific treatment and be allowed to follow other paths to recovery

To have the opportunity to be centrally involved in planning and supervising the mental health services

To have access to the arts, sports and recreational facilities as therapeutic means

To make an ‘Advance Directive’ outlining how we want to be treated when unwell and to know that it will be followed

To have an understanding and compassionate mental health service which enables us to heal

This list in not exhaustive but outlines some of the things I think are important.

Rachel Waddingham © 2002