1. Mental Health Surrogate Decision Making

2. 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

3. 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

4. Resources Local Attorney NAMI Bazelon Center for Mental Health
Bazelon Center for Mental Health
National Resource Center on Psy A.D.
Treatment Advocacy Center

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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