Lacking Insight - Community Law

Part 3 > The Involuntary Patient Experiencecould be done better. I think sometimes it is donewell, and I think it does need to be done. Sothat if someone is unsuccessful or even if theyare successful they develop an understandingof what the language means and how it’s beingapplied and how it applies to them so they cantake some ownership of, okay [for example] mymood is fluctuating rapidly and so I need to bea bit careful or you know I am getting high sothis is what I need to do or whatever it is. I thinkotherwise it is a fairly intimidating experience forpeople and they usually lose and they don’t knowwhy they lose and why they should change orwhat is wrong or whatever.I think more work could be done for people, whenthe decision does go against them, to make surethat they understand why that is.NM - ConsumerNeed for assistance inunderstanding informationTime and time again consumers say that theprovision of information on its own is not an effectiveway for them to gain an understanding of theBoard process. Many consumers emphasise theimportance of receiving assistance to understand anywritten information that is provided.Did you get given any information about theBoard, any printed materials?Just in a book that was about it. [There] was justa brief description [of the] Mental Health ReviewBoard, that was it. When you are unwell youdon’t take a lot of notice . . . they might give youthe information but whether or not it gets readbecause you are so drugged up, all of suddenyou are not really thinking as clear, so you justdisregard and accept it . . .HM - ConsumerThere were pamphlet stands in the waiting roombut no booklets or pamphlets relating to the Boardprocess. A letterbox labelled ‘Complaints’ was emptyapart from some discarded sweet wrappings. Therewere no Victoria Legal Aid or Mental Health LegalCentre posters. Outdated meeting notices were ondisplay. [Researcher Observations]Lack of information about legalrepresentationA number of consumers said they were unaware thatthey had a right to legal representation to assist themwith the preparation of their case and on the day ofthe hearing.I just get a message saying that you havean appointment with the Board coming upvirtually tomorrow, but no real length of time toget a lot of things organised for yourself.Was the other hearing when you were inhospital?Yeah.Did anyone inform you about your legal rightsto representation before the Board?No, to tell the truth, no.CM - ConsumerWhile access to information about legalrepresentation is crucial, consumers also needassistance in securing that representation.When a person is about to come before theBoard, he or she may not be in a position to activelypursue all the relevant rights. It is at such times thatlegal representation ought to be provided, or atthe very least assistance provided in attaininglegal representation.47