You can get legal information and, if appropriate, representation for:
- mental health and health law issues: if you are held in a hospital or other facility against your will because of your mental health, health, or disability, or you may experience a serious restriction on your rights or freedoms in the health care system. This may include representation for the following:
- review panel hearing of the Mental Health Review Board
- judicial review in court of a Mental Health review panel decision
- court application for discharge under the Mental Health Act
- court application under the Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act
- court application regarding orders under the Adult Guardianship Act
- court application for habeas corpus to challenge detention
To find out if you qualify for legal aid coverage to assist you with your mental health matter, contact:
Legal Aid Mental Health Assistance Line
604-235-1338 (Greater Vancouver)
1-844-235-1338 (elsewhere in BC)
Hours:
Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Wed: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
For legal and complaint resources for people impacted by the Mental Health Act, see the Health Justice website.
For legal information and resources about your rights under the Mental Health Act (MHA) in BC, see the Independent Rights Advice Service. It provides information to people who are detained and experiencing involuntary treatment under the MHA to help them understand their legal rights and how they can act on those rights. The service was soft launched in January 2024 in specific facilities across BC and will gradually expand across the province.
- prison law issues: if you face an issue in prison that will increase restrictions on your liberty or otherwise affect your personal security.