Find out more about the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and other important rules & rights.

A general guide on how the Mental Capacity Act affects you and how you can plan ahead for when you no longer have the mental capacity to make decisions for yourself.

Find out about your rights, how to complain, and how to take control of your treatment.

Explains the rights that you have if you are sectioned and detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. 

Explains your rights if you are having treatment in hospital as a voluntary patient. Applies to England and Wales.

Explains the rights you have to get your section lifted if you are being detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act, and your rights to care and support after leaving hospital.

Explains what advocacy is and how it can help you. Gives information on different types of adovcacy, including statutory advocates, Independent Mental Health Advocates, what sort of situations an advocate can help you with, and how to find an advocate.

This factsheet is for people with a mental illness, or a history of mental illness, who want to understand when their Advance Decision will be followed. It also talks about how an Advance Statement can help in planning for future treatment and care. It is for people living in England and Wales.

A brief guide to complaining about health and social care in England or Wales, including details of where you can go for further information or support.

An interactive tool to help you understand when your human rights may be at risk in mental health and mental capacity services, and how to use the law to resolve these issues in everyday discussions with staff.