Systemic advocacy is when a group of people work together to advance their collective rights and interests, such as by campaigning and speaking with politicians and the government.

CoMHWA represents consumers by engaging in consultations.

CoMHWA provides systemic advocacy by and for people with lived experience of mental health issues in Western Australia to speak up and help solve the issues that impact our lives.

We advocate across a range of issues that can affect our mental health and wellbeing - such as mental health treatments, physical health, income, housing and stigma.

Collaboration and responsive policy advocacy is central to the work of CoMHWA. This is done through writing submissions, conducting issues-based campaigns, developing position statements, providing input and advice to government and other organisations, and participating in expert reference and advisory committees.

What we stand for

Our work includes consultations and campaigns, and advocating for consumer rights and interests to politicians, government and services.

We also work with and assist lived experience groups and leaders at a local and regional level to help bring about change.

How you can help

• Report an issue you’re concerned about so that we can take action.

• Help out by sharing your views in our consultations and campaigns.

• Support us by becoming a member or donating today!

If there’s something within the mental health sector that you think is an inherent systemic issue, we’d love to hear about it. As a consumer advocacy organisation, we want to make it simple for your voice to be heard and make sure your message gets delivered to those who need to hear it.

Email the Systemic Advocacy team today at advocacy@comhwa.org.au to help us make a difference for mental health consumers together.

Read more on the key issues

• Check out our latest Media Releases and Publications to see some of our advocacy work.

• Learn about the NDIS - the biggest change since the introduction of Medicare that’s having major impacts on the mental health of Australia

Individual advocacy is when a person is helped to speak up about their rights and interests, such as through information and advice about their situation, help with writing letters or going to meetings, or having someone speak up on their behalf.

Unfortunately, CoMHWA is unable to provide individual advocacy services, however we can point you in the directions of organisations who provide this service.

An advocacy service can provide information and advice about your situation, help you with writing a letter or going to a meeting, or speak up on your behalf.

Examples of situations where someone might want assistance in speaking up include stigma or discrimination, problems with Centrelink or public housing, or complaints about mental health services. Individual advocacy services are free of charge.

CoMHWA can help you to find an individual advocacy service that can assist with your situation.

Supported Decision-Making

CoMHWA assists people who are in the Individualised Community Living Strategy (ICLS) program to negotiate and choose their services.

Urgent Mental Health Advocacy

If staff are refusing to let you leave an emergency department or hospital for mental health reasons, or you are receiving mental health treatment against your wishes, then you have a right to speak to a health advocate.

Contact the Mental Health Advocacy Service on 1800 999 057

Self-advocacy is when a person speaks up for their own rights and interests so they are heard and respected by others.

To be an effective self-advocate it helps to…

• Get information about your situation and know your rights

• Know what options you have and the pros and cons of each option

• Grow your confidence and communication skills to speak up- even in challenging situations

• Know where to get further assistance if you need to (individual advocacy).

Self-advocacy is when a person speaks up for their own rights and interests so they are heard and respected by others.