Do you have a question about our service or our website that you think should be featured on this page?

Let us know using the feedback form.  Click the link on the menu on the right to 'Feedback'.

 
Can I refer myself?
Yes, call us on 0800 035 0396, or see the 'Need an Advocate?' pages for more details.

Can someone else refer me?
Yes, just ask them to ring us on 0800 035 0396, or see the 'Need an Advocate' pages for more details.

Can I refer someone else?
Yes, as long as you have their permission.  Friends and family, carers can make referrals, as can professionals.  Call us on 0800 035 0396 or see the 'Need an Advocate' pages for more details.
Note:  if you are a professional and your client lacks capacity to give permission to contact us, you can still refer them to our service in the usual way. 

I don't know if I am a 'qualifying patient' for your IMHA service.  How do I find out?
The simplest way is to give us a ring, and we will be able to tell you.  You can also visit our pages on our IMHA service here, which give some information about qualifying patients  Alternatively, you could ask your Consultant, Care Coordinator or a Nurse if you qualify. 

Can you help me with my benefits or housing or problems with debt?
No, the advocacy service cannot help you with this.  Your local Citizen's Advice Bureau should be able to help; you can find their details through Advice Sheffield here.  Or, if you are currently a hospital inpatient, Sheffield Mental Health CAB may be able to help.  Follow the links to the Advice pages through the tabs at the top of this page.

What if I'm over 65 and want a mental health advocate?
If you are over 65, and are a qualifying patient, you can access our IMHA service.  Please see the details here.
If you are over 65, and are not in hospital, not sectioned under the Mental Health Act (or otherwise not a qualifying patient), Age Concern Sheffield provide the advocacy service which can support you.  Visit their website  here or call 0114 250 2850.

I don't live in Sheffield.  Can you help me?
We are usually only able to work with patients who either have a home address in Sheffield, or are registered with a Sheffield GP.  Otherwise, we may be able to signpost you to your local service.  For a list of local advocacy services across the UK, visit Action for Advocacy here.

My GP doesn't listen to me properly or take my problems seriously.  Can you help me?
Yes.  If you are struggling with your mental wellbeing and want to talk to your GP about it, we can support you with that.  We could meet you beforehand to prepare, we could attend the appointment with you to support you in the meeting, or even speak for you if you wish.  We can also provide information about what kinds of support your GP should be able to offer.

I need support with my mental health, but don't want my family knowing about it.  How do I know you won't tell them?
The Advocacy service is a confidential service.  That means that whatever you tell us, is confidential to our service.  We will not tell anyone else that you are using our service, or give any information about you, without your permission, except in very specific circumstances - if you tell us  you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, we may want to talk to you about contacting your GP or a mental health professional who is responsible for your care.  However, we would not tell family, friends or anyone else unless you told us you wanted us to do so.