Independent Advocacy

Independent advocates speak up for people who use mental health services, making sure they tell people what they want to happen.

Under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, every person with mental health problems has a right of access to an independent advocate. It is a duty of the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian to provide this support.

Below is a guide to mental health advocacy. The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance website also contains a directory of available services and other useful information.

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Edinburgh Mental Health Advocacy Guide (pdf, 150kb) (147 kB)