Resources & files: Videos

Independent Rights Advice: Supporting patient autonomy during involuntary care

July 21, 2025

The Independent Rights Advice Service is a rights-affirming legal information service for people experiencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act in British Columbia. Rights Advice services are established in other provinces. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce participants to IRAS – its history, principles, governance and operational structure, and lessons from its first year of operations – and its alignment with PSR principles.

PSR AP and partners are grateful to live, work, and be in relationship with Coast Salish peoples from across many traditional and unceded territories, covering all regions of British Columbia. We are honoured to be welcomed visitors to this land and are committed to reconciliation, decolonization, and building relationships in our communities and in our work.

Need urgent help?
8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia.