The Mental Health Act (2009) provides protections for the rights of all South Australians in relation to the treatment of mental illness, including the application of Inpatient Treatment Orders (ITOs) and Community Treatment Orders (CTOs). 

Often a person’s rights in relation to treatment orders are not made clear by those given the responsibility to apply for the orders or make the orders. No independent body exists to assist people subject to mental health treatment orders to access their rights under the law. No funding is available to help people navigate the power imbalances and great stress of this scenario.  

Led by our Social Worker/Psychotherapist, Rory Ritchie, this service provides information, support, and advocacy for people subject to involuntary treatment orders. This may be a one-hour consultation to provide expert advice regarding a person’s rights under the Mental Health Act, or comprehensive advocacy support including the provision of written evidence and assessments, and attendance to stand alongside a person and provide verbal evidence at South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) hearings. 

Our therapists are proud of their record in standing alongside people at risk or subject to involuntary mental health treatment in South Australia.