Advocacy and Participation in Mental Health Cases: Realisable Rights or Pipe Dream?

This article explores the issue of whether there is a role for advocacy in mental health review processes. It discusses Australian experiences of mental health clients, legal advocates and other stakeholders in the mental health review system. It reviews forms of advocacy, the reactions to these, and the contribution lawyers make to protecting rights within this field. Based on fieldwork, a mixed model of advocacy is suggested, which includes legal representation that goes beyond simply 'following instructions', but also self-advocacy, systemic advocacy and mobilisation of support networks.