Your Rights and Responsibilities

As a client here at Orygen, a range of rights and responsibilities apply to you. These rights and responsibilities come from the Mental Health Act 2014, The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights.

It’s very important that you are aware of what your rights are as a consumer of mental health services, and that you feel able to speak up if you don’t feel they are being met.

To watch an animation about your rights as a consumer.

All people using Orygen Specialist Program have the right to:

  • Be and feel physically and emotionally safe
  • Be treated with respect and dignity
  • Be spoken to in a respectful manner
  • Have an opinion, express an opinion and be listened to
  • Have their need for private time and space recognised
  • Not be discriminated against
  • Have access to an  interpreter as required
  • Be respected with regard to the confidentiality and privacy of their information

People using Orygen also have some responsibilities:

  • To be aware of the rights of others
  • To communicate openly and honestly
  • To discuss changes in condition and treatment plans
  • To discuss and clarify diagnosis and treatment
  • To discuss and clarify side effects of treatment
  • To work together to improve the effectiveness of treatment
  • To provide feedback on the service and or care

Young people also have the right to:

  • Receive a copy of their rights, know their legal status, whether voluntary or involuntary, and have their rights explained so that they understand them
  • Be informed of what is happening at all times and be involved in making decisions about their treatment and care
  • Receive information and ask questions so that they are able to fully understand everything
  • Know how to make suggestions, compliments and complaints and be assisted to do this if needed
  • Request the assistance of an advocate

If at any time you would like to know more about your rights and responsibilities you can ask your Case Manager, Doctor, or the Peer Support Workers.

This information is in our Rights and Responsibilities (PDF) factsheet