Improving health and wellbeing

Amir's story - fighting the criminalisation of acute mental distress Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Amir* was walking in Melbourne’s Central Business District while experiencing acute mental distress.  He stopped a person to ask for the time. The person took out their phone when Amir attempted to take the mobile. A struggle ensued and the victim was pushed to the ground.  Amir ran away with the phone.   Read More ›

Steven's story - access to legal help to focus on medical treatment and rebuilding relationships Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Steven* first had contact with mental health services in 2007 after an intentional overdose but it wasn’t until 2021 that he was diagnosed with a mental health condition. Following an incident with his partner in 2022, Steven was charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and common assault. Read More ›

Shannice's story - helping Shannice stand-up for the best interests of her sick child Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Shannice was regularly attending the Royal Women's Hospital with her young baby who had serious medical issues. When social workers at the hospital recognised that she was experiencing legal problems, they were able to refer Shannice to IMCL for assistance through our Health Justice Partnership. Read More ›

Beth's Story - helping Beth erase her debts and focus on her health Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Recently, Beth had to stop working entirely because her Multiple Sclerosis worsened and she became a carer for her elderly mother. With the burden of her large debts, Beth could not fully engage with the therapy and rehabilitation exercises that she needed for her deteriorating health. Read More ›

Joe's story - helping Joe leave hospital safely Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Joe suffers from a complex medical disorder and had recently attempted suicide, in part because he was struggling with the family violence that he was experiencing from his sibling who lived with him and his elderly mother. Read More ›

Amy & Mark's story - connecting a family with a sick child with the pro bono legal help they need Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Amy and Mark's son, Michael, has a one in a billion illness that requires him to spend most of his time in hospital. Amy and Mark quit their jobs and moved closer to the RCH to be near and care for their son. They are, however, heavily in debt. Read More ›

Sara's story - helping Sara identify and solve multiple legal problems Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Sara was referred to us by her social worker when she was 10 weeks’ pregnant with her second child and experiencing family violence. Read More ›

Nandita's story - helping Nandita navigate legal problems which were intimately connected with her health Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Nandita lives with an acquired brain injury (ABI) – a disability resulting from a 40 meter fall whilst rock-climbing. After her accident Nandita rushed her recovery so she could return to work but quickly learned that she could no longer do so. Read More ›

Nellie's story - giving Nellie access to legal advice which she otherwise would not have sought Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 For Nellie, a refugee and a polio survivor with a resulting mobility disability, was in a violent relationship which escalated after she fell pregnant. Nellie was fearful of what her partner would do after their child was born. Read More ›

Samantha's story - empowering Samantha and her family by providing legal services in a convenient and trusted setting Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Samantha’s daughter, Bella, was receiving counselling at the Royal Children’s Hospital after disclosing sexual abuse and family violence by Samantha’s partner, Brett. Samantha and Bella were still residing in the same home as Brett. Read More ›

Helen's story - unfairly dismissed at 17 with a family and schooling to support Published on Wednesday 14, May 2025 Helen had been due to go to work one day but woke up feeling unwell and unable to work. Helen notified her employer and was immediately dismissed by way of text message on the basis that she had not provided sufficient notice. Read More ›