Mental Health Legal Centre Inc.

Health Services, Legal Services, Assoicated Bodies, External publications about law

Health Services

• Directory of Mental Health Services
  Lists psychiatric services funded by Department of Human Services in Victoria. Can search by Suburb Name. Also browse Specialist and Statewide Services.
• Guide to Psychotropic Drugs
  The Mental Health Research Institute's Information section includes a link to this document. The document is produced by the Psychotropic Drug Advisory Service. The chemist can give advise the general public on the effects of medication.
• Psychologists Registration Board
  Lists registered psychologists in Victoria. Hears complaints about psychologists.
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
  Registration body. Includes ethical and clinical guidelines.
• Adverse Medicine Events Line
  National phone-line collecting information on unexpected effects of medication.
• Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin   
  This Bulletin contains information about adverse reactions associated with medication. 

Financial Services

• Consumer Action Law Centre
  Provides free legal advice and representation to people in Victoria with financial difficulties.  Includes a legal advice hotline.
• Consumer Affairs Victoria
  Contact Consumer Affairs Victoria to find a Financial Counsellor close to you.
• FIDO Credit Card Calculator
  The FIDO credit card calculator can show you the effect of making only minimum repayments and can help you find ways to pay off your card faster.
• Debt Problems: The Law, Your Options
  Booklet produced by Victorian Legal Aid to assist people who owe money.
• Financial Independence Programme
  Link to fact-sheet about the State Trustees' Financial Independence Programme in Victoria.
• Fact Sheets on Social Security and Centrelink issues
  Welfare Rights Unit
•  Food vouchers and financial assistance - list on Moreland Community Legal Centres site
• The Insurance Law Service - is a free legal service for anyone in Australia who would like advice on insurance law or in resolving a dispute with an insurer. Their fact sheets include; Making a claim on car insurance, What can I do if my car insurance claim is refused?, I've had a car accident and I'm uninsured!, Making a claim on home and contents insurance, What can I do if my  home and / or contents insurance claim is refused?, Your Insurance Report, Bushfire Insurance Guide, Flood Insurance (NEW). Their sample letters include; Can't pay my excess, Request for progress on claim after insurer's failure to reply, Regarding delayed claim, Lodging a dispute, Raising a dispute, Requesting your insurance report, Paying the debt, Requesting repayment arrangement, Request to waive debt, Insurer's failure to respond or decision to reject a hardship request, Complaint about insurer's failure to respond to hardship request, Disputing the amount claimed.

Legal Services

• Victoria Legal Aid
  Regional Offices, Guidelines for Eligibility, Information, Publications
• Villamanta
  A Victorian Community Legal Centre that works solely on disability related legal issues.
• West Heidelberg Community Legal Service
  Provides Victims of Crime Tribunal Assistance to the Banyule community.
• Darebin Community Legal Centre
  Provides legal advice about crimes compensation to people who live, work or study in the Darebin region.
• Barwon Community Legal Service
  Provides advice about general legal matters, welfare rights and family violence to people who live in the Barwon / Geelong region.
• The Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic
  The Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic (HPLC) is run by the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) in Victoria. The HPLC provides free legal assistance to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Federation of Community Legal Centres
  Victorian Community Legal Centres and Concerns about the Law
• Disability Discrimination Legal Service
• Community Legal Service that specialises in Disability Discrimination Legislation
• Victims Support Agency 
  A central resource for victims of crime.  Includes a helpline that is staffed by Victim Support Officers.
• Multiple and Complex Needs Panel 
  The Multiple and Complex Needs Panel (MACN Panel) is a statutory body established under the Human Services (Complex Needs) Act. The MACN Panel has the power to authorise referrals to specialist housing, health and social services. 
• Legal Referral Service
  The Law Institute Victoria’s legal referral service can help you locate a law firm suitable for your needs.

Associated Bodies

• Mental Health Review Board
  Appeal Forms, Selected Statements of Reasons, Annual Reports that include additional decisions
• Mental Health Branch
  Includes Chief Psychiatrist's Guidelines and Program Management Circulars
• VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
  Guardianship and Administration, mediation options
• Australian Human Rights Commission
  Information about Discrimination
• Dispute Resolution
  Dispute Information includes tips to step through your issue, guide to dispute resolution, explanation of alternative dispute resolution
• Legal Services Commissioner
  Useful publication on 'Working with your Lawyer'. Includes tips such as preparation for your first meeting, questions about the lawyers expertise, costs etc. The website is also the gateway for making a complaint about a Victorian lawyer.
• Rural Law
  Rural Law Online is designed to give rural Victorians access to plain language information on areas of law which affect them. Includes a Discussion Forum where questions can be posted that lawyers respond to and information about capacity and capacity to enter a contract.
• Victoria Law 
  Easy to understand legal information in six different languages.  Information on debt and credit matters, housing issues, traffic offences and lots of other everyday subjects

Other Agencies' Publications about Law relevant to Mental Health

• Mental Health Act
  Copy of the Mental Health Act provided by the Australian Legal Information Institute.
• Disclosure in Employment
  Fact-sheet produced by Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
• Disclosure and Job Seeker Privacy
  JobAccess website produced by the Australian Government.
• Attorney-General's Department
  Information about disability discrimination and human rights.
• Law Institute of Victoria - Policy submissions 
  Link to policy submissions.  Can search for submissions relevant to mental health.
• Powers of Attorney, Rehearings
  Office of the Public Advocate
• Public Transport Ombudsman
  The Office of the Public Transport Ombudsman deals with complaints regarding public transport in Victoria.
• WorkWelfareWills
  A plain English guide about legal issues around health and life changes.  Includes information about Centrelink entitlements, health privacy, superannuation, insurance and wills.
• The Coroner’s Process: Information for Family and Friends
  Publication produced by the State Coroner’s Office in Victoria.
• Family Relationships Online
  Provides links to information about counselling and family dispute resolution services.  Includes a Family Relationship Advice Line.
• Getting Past Your Past  
  A booklet produced by the North Melbourne Legal Service to assist people in understanding and moving on from criminal records.
• Legal Words
  The meanings of some common legal words and terms produced by Victoria Legal Aid.