Your rights – for 11-18 year olds
Information to help you understand your legal rights and how they might relate to mental health.
Why is it important to understand our rights?
We all have rights. When we talk about rights, we mean our rights to:
- Do things, like be involved in decisions about ourselves
- Have things, like food, housing and healthcare
- Be treated in a certain way, like to be protected from abuse
It's important to understand our rights so we can make sure that we're being treated fairly, and that we have the protection and support we deserve.
When you have a mental health problem, it's especially important to understand what rights you have. Our information pages explain the different rights you have and how they relate to your mental health.
Understanding my rights
Information on what your rights are and how they might relate to mental health.
Understanding confidentiality
A guide that explains how and when information about your mental health is kept private.
Advocacy and mental health
A guide that explains advocacy and how advocates can help you to get your voice heard.
Advocating for yourself
A guide that explains self-advocacy and gives tips on how to advocate for yourself.
Being an informal patient
A guide that explains what happens and what your rights are in hospital as an informal patient.
Being sectioned
A guide that explains what happens and what your rights are when you're sectioned for your mental health.
Knowing what your rights are is really important, so you can tell someone if you're not getting what you should be.
For more information
Rights
Rights generally exist to protect and help us. If you have a right or the rights to something in everyday life, it means you're entitled to have it or do it. Our rights are often set out in laws, like the Equality Act 2010. Sometimes, rights might be set out in other policies and guidelines.
Some rights can never lawfully be taken away from us. However, sometimes another law can interfere with or restrict our rights, like if we are arrested or sectioned.
For more information, see our page on your rights.
Visit our full treatment and support glossary