There are many ways a lawyer can assist you in the event that you or someone you care about is suffering from a mental illness.

If you are dealing with a mental illness you should remember that your lawyer is there for you. There are many ways that they can help.

• A lawyer who understands mental health and mental health law can help protect your interests and wishes.
• Your lawyer is there to give you advice and to listen carefully to what you want.
• They are an advocate on your behalf in situations where you may not be able to help yourself.
• They can also help you plan ahead by establishing advance directives for any future periods when you may not be able to look after yourself or your personal affairs appropriately.
• Your lawyer must always act in your best interests and must balance those interests with their duty to be honest to the court at all times.

If you are family or the friend of a person who is undergoing treatment for mental illness a lawyer can help you navigate the legal system effectively to best help your loved one.

• A lawyer can advise you on how mental health law operates in your state or territory.
• A lawyer will be able to explain the kinds of legal protections that are available to an individual suffering from mental illness.
• They can also help you to understand whether the treatment your loved one is receiving is legal and whether it is in their best interests.
• A lawyer can discuss the rights of a person with mental illness including how these can be best protected.
• If your loved one has an advance directive in place then a lawyer may be in contact with you to ask for your assistance in carrying out the directives.