Mental Health Surrogate Decision Making

What is in a name Power of attorney Health Care Surrogate Proxy Advance Directive “Mental Health”_________ Psychiatric Advance Directive Different states use opposite names with different rights

State Individualism Each State has different minimum requirements for validity Written w/ 2 disinterested witnesses and notary Each State chooses whether to accept document signed by other state standards Remember name confusion and affect on medical providers Varying standards for forced treatment

Resources Local Attorney NAMI Bazelon Center for Mental Health www.nami.org Bazelon Center for Mental Health www.bazelon.org National Resource Center on Psy A.D. www.nrc-pad.org Treatment Advocacy Center www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org

Goal Empower you to direct and at the very least inform of your preferences in treatment when you are least able.

Roadblocks to success Never expressing your preferences in writing No common system to communicate the existence of your preference Issues of competence at time of creation Issues of competence at time of need to revoke or modify Limits to deny all treatment

Steps to Success Put treatment preference in written form and name a “surrogate/agent” you trust. 2 witnesses Doctor statement of competency at time Communicate your action Surrogate gets copy Put laminated card in wallet Store in online registry MedicAlert Bracelet

Things to put in Name of surrogate/advocate Any and all Specific medical preference Medicine preference Physical settings that help or hurt your treatment Other triggers to avoid or that add to treatment such as music and lighting