DID you know that the CAB in Inverness runs an advocacy service for people with mental health problems? One in five of us is liable to experience some mental illness at some time in our lives… and even more people - family and friends - can be affected.

The CAB employs advocacy workers who will help people to speak up for their rights and entitlements.
Keith, one of the advocates, explains “Our advocates will help clients to research accurate information which they will need in order to know about their rights and responsibilities in relation to the particular problem or issue. Then they will support clients in coming to a decision and assist them to work through options and choices. We will accompany clients to meetings, or will represent the client whenever they are unable or unwilling to speak up for themselves - we will for example represent clients at benefit appeals, talk to landlords, creditors and employers.”

However, Keith is quick to point out that advocates do not tell people what to do - the client is the one who makes the choices and the advocate’s job is to faithfully represent the clients views. “Advocacy is about helping people to speak up for themselves, taking their side and helping them to get their point across” says Keith. “We can never guarantee that every outcome will be what the client wants, but we can guarantee that we will make sure that the client has all of the information he/she needs, all of the support required to make informed choices, and all the assistance in overcoming the barriers preventing his/her wishes or needs being realised. Advocacy is really about helping people to change their lives by enabling them to speak out.”

CAB has recently carried out a survey of clients and mental health professionals. The results of this clearly demonstrate that the CAB advocacy service is held in high regard and many positive comments were made. But perhaps the last word should go to one of the project’s clients, Susan, who used the advocacy service earlier this year. Susan was facing possible eviction due to rent arrears. She had no support services, had accumulated multiple debts and didn’t have enough money for even her basic living costs.

Susan suffered from severe depression and felt powerless to tackle her many problems. An advocate helped Susan to challenge her eviction, to get backdated Housing Benefit and to negotiate affordable repayments to her creditors. She was accompanied to her General Practitioner and helped to explain her situation. Susan feels she has regained some control over her life and the security to make real choices.
She said “My depression was incredibly lonely. Everyone around me thought they knew what was best for me and told me what I should do. I was lurching from one crisis to another. I needed someone who would speak out for me - for what I wanted. That’s what the CAB helped me to do - to take more control.”

If you have a mental health problem and need help to resolve a problem, you can contact Keith or one of the other advocacy workers at Inverness 715805. The CAB is open from 10am till 1pm every weekday but, if you prefer, you can see an advocate at one of the following outreaches.
Cairdeas Cottage - Tuesday 2pm to 3pm.
New Craigs Hospital - Wednesday 10.30am - 12.30pm
Bruce Gardens Day Centre - Friday 10.30am - 12.30
The service, like all CAB services, is free, confidential and independent.

Inverness CAB is at 103 Academy Street and the office is open to the public from 10am till 1pm Monday to Friday. Or you can phone 01463 235345, during these hours.