How We Can Help

The Mental Health Legal Centre can help to make an Advance Statement. We work with consumers to understand what their treatment preferences are and to ensure that this is expressed clearly in their Advance Statements.

‘Your Treatment Your Voice’ Application

Alternatively, you contact us on (03) 9629 4422 to make an appointment with our Advance Statements team.

This Application was created in collaboration with students from Melbourne University and Neota Logic, for more information about this innovative program, please visit: https://law.unimelb.edu.au/law-apps…

What is an Advance Statement?

• An Advance Statement is a document that helps you have more say in how you are treated when you are receiving compulsory treatment.
• An Advance Statement sets out your treatment preferences if you require compulsory treatment.
• An Advance Statement may include information about:
  • Which treatment(s) you find effective;
  • Which treatment(s) have been less effective in the past;
  • Your views about Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT); and
  • Any other information you want your treating team to know.
• You can make an Advance Statement at any time.
• An Advance Statement must be:
  • In writing;
  • Signed and dated by you; and
  • Witnessed by an ‘authorised witness’ who signs to say you understand what an Advance Statement is and the consequences of making one.

Effect of Advance Statement

• You should ensure that the people involved in your treatment and care know that you have made an Advance Statement and where it is.
• If you have an Advance Statement then it must be considered by your treating team.
• Sometimes your treating team does not have to follow your Advance Statement if they do not provide the treatment requested, or if they do not think it will work.
• If this happens, you can ask for written reasons from your treating team. These reasons must be provided within 10 business days of your request.
• If you have an Advance Statement, the Mental Health Tribunal must consider it.
• An Advance Statement cannot be altered. You will need to make a new one if you want to change it.

Why write an Advance Statement?

• An Advance Statement can tell your treating team about your home life, your personal understanding of what works and what doesn’t work for your mental health and the people and things you rely on (and who rely on you) in daily life.
• None of us go to hospital when we are well, so hospital and crisis staff usually only see us when we are unwell.
• An Advance Statement gives you the chance to sit down when well to work out what needs to be done and what works best for you if you become unwell.
• The information is then available to the hospital or clinic when you need them to know, but where you may not be able to properly explain and have your wishes considered.

Still have more questions?