Understanding mental health
Learn more about mental health and how it can affect you or the people you care about.
Independent patient rights advisers and support persons
If you're struggling with your mental health, help is available.
Whether you’re looking for mental health support for yourself, someone you care about, or just trying to improve your wellbeing , Medicare Mental Health is a good place to start.
1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) is a confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact to Queensland Health mental health services.
You can also call the following crisis and support helplines, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
- 13YARN: 13 92 76 to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter
If you or someone you know needs immediate help call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
What is an Independent Patient Rights Adviser
If you’re getting treatment or care under the Mental Health Act 2016, you can speak to an Independent Patient Rights Adviser for help and advice.
All public sector authorised mental health services have appointed Independent Patient Rights Advisers. They help:
- make sure you and your support persons are aware of your rights and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 2016
- communicate your views, wishes and preferences about your treatment and care to your doctor and treating team
- provide support for Mental Health Review Tribunal hearings including helping you get representation if you need it
- explain advance health directives and enduring powers of attorney.
Watch our video or read our Independent Patient Rights Advisers fact sheet (PDF, 611kB) to learn more.
Contact an Independent Patient Rights Adviser
You can ask to talk to an Independent Patient Rights Adviser at any time by phone, email or in person.
Ask your doctor or treating team or contact your local Hospital and Health Service's Independent Patient Rights Adviser.
Find an Independent Patient Rights Adviser
Support persons
The Mental Health Act 2016 recognises the importance of family, carers and other support persons.
A support person can include your family, partner, a close friend or carer. Their role under the Act can include:
- visiting you while you're getting treatment and care at an authorised mental health service
- taking part in decisions about your treatment and care
- getting timely and accurate information about your treatment, care and recovery
- arranging support services for you, including counselling and community care.
Watch our video or download the support persons brochure (PDF, 3.9MB) to learn more.
The Mental Health Act 2016 requires doctors to discuss and explain the main matters about your treatment and care with your support persons, unless:
- you don't want your doctors to talk to a support person and you have the capacity to decide at the time
- your support person is not available
- the communication may be detrimental to your health and wellbeing.
A doctor can also discuss confidential information with your support persons if:
- it's for your care and treatment
- the person has sufficient interest in your health and welfare.
Nominated Support Persons
You can appoint 1 or 2 people to be your Nominated Support Person. Nominated Support Persons have a more formal role under the Mental Health Act 2016 than a support person. They can help you if you become unwell and become an involuntary patient under the Act.
They must receive all notices that must be given to you under the Mental Health Act 2016. They can also:
- discuss confidential information about your treatment and care with your treating team, unless you decide you don't want them to
- support you at hearings of the Mental Health Review Tribunal
- ask for a psychiatrist report if you were to be charged with a serious offence.
How to nominate a Nominated Support Person
Use the How to nominate a Nominated Support Person – guide and appointment form (PDF, 1.5MB) and give it to your doctor or treating team.
If you can't print the form, ask a staff member at your authorised mental health service to give you a copy of the form.
You can also ask an Independent Patient Rights Adviser for help.
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How to get help
Get help and support by finding mental health services and treatment options that are available around Queensland.
Your rights and support
Understand your rights and the support services that can help when you're being treated for a mental illness.