Whatever the ultimate effect of advocacy, it is useful to recognise that experienced champions of patients’ rights are increasingly concerned about barriers to accessing mental health advocacy services and it is interesting that the most recently published data, in March 2015 presents a gloomy picture for service users and their carers.

 

Mental health advocacy services, which are now available as a matter of statutory duty to the majority of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, have long had a reputation for being under funded . As recently as March 20th 2015, mental health trusts in England have had their budgets cut by more than 8% in real terms over the course of this Parliament[i]

 

There is an absence of comprehensive engagement by mental health professionals, and confusion over the availability of advocacy services. Staff are frequently unsure as to whether qualifying patients were aware of their right to access an advocacy service, since information about advocacy services was rarely provided to services users entitled to it.[ii]

 

Advocacy providers reported, in 2011, that they are underfunded and over-stretched, and are unable to meet the large demands for their services, and that there is a continuing lack of awareness concerning the right to advocacy among service users and mental health staff.  Mental health service providers are therefore not being made fully aware of their rights to an IMHA.

 

The process for commissioning advocacy services has resulted in many  services not being delivered.  The consequence has been a failure to provide adequately for black and minority ethnic (BME) service users who are disproportionately affected by the Mental Health Act and a lack of adequate provission for women[iv], despite providers doing their utmost to deliver high quality services.

 

There is also a lack of awareness on the part of young people and people with learning disabilities, their carers and professionals, about available advocacy services. Along with access to information about advocacy rights and problems with bureaucracy, which leave families in unequal power relationships with healthcare authorities, irrespective of socio-economic circumstances[v].

 

 

 

[i] Hakin, R, and Pollard, P, Briefing Paper 3; “Independent Mental Health Advocacy” Mental Health Alliance http://www.mentalhealthalliance.org.uk/resources/Independent_Mental_Health_Advocacy_report.pdf

[i] BBC News March 20th 2015

[ii]http://www.mentalhealthalliance.org.uk/resources/Independent_Mental_Health_Advocacy_report.pdf

[iv-v] Care Quality Commission Annual Report on the Use of the Mental Health Act 2009-10