Family & Young People’s Rights

All young people and their families have a right to expert and professional healthcare.

Other rights include:

  • The right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be free from any form of harassment
  • To be provided with information about rights, mental health issues, treatment options and the availability of appropriate services
  • To participate as much as possible in decisions about the kind of care and support that is provided
  • To have the support of family, friends or advocates
  • To have an interpreter, if needed
  • To have privacy and confidentiality respected
  • To obtain a second opinion

Family members and clients also have responsibilities. These include:

  • Cooperating, as much as possible, with the staff providing care.  This includes providing accurate information about what’s going on for your family member
  • To respect the safety, privacy and dignity of other people, whether they’re staff, other clients, other families and friends

It is helpful for families to become involved, at least a little, in a young person’s care and treatment. The case manager will provide information that can help you to understand general mental health issues. They are bound by confidentiality to the young person, as their primary client. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 states that if information is reasonably required for the ongoing care of the young person, and that a family member, guardian or other primary carer will be actively involved in providing that care, then the person should receive information about the young person’s wellbeing. The information a case manager will provide is often general in nature, and relates to symptoms, ways of coping, medical, psychological and social treatments. Many young people consent to more significant involvement of their families. Staff at Orygen Specialist Program recognize the importance of family involvement, and encourage it.

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