#AdvocacyMatters: The Strength of Psychiatric Advance Directives
January 31, 2025 / #AdvocacyMatters
If you’re interested in disability justice, you may already be aware of advance directives. Advance directives are expressed wishes of a person when they are unable to communicate them, normally in a medical situation with things like a living will. One of our goals this year is to advocate for the use of a certain type of advance directive called a psychiatric advanced directive (“PAD”). We’re happy to share about their importance and highlight some resources about them today.
A PAD details a person’s preferences for future mental health treatment and the types of treatment if the person is in a crisis and unable to make decisions for themselves. We recognize that a time of crisis is not the best time to need to make any sort of decisions. We encourage the use of psychiatric advance directives as a way for individuals to pre-write and pre-think about having their wishes, preferences, and desires outlined in an event that experience a crisis.
As Trish Risser, our PAIMI Advisory Council (PAC) Chair states, “Advance directive opens a door to giving healthcare choices back to where it belongs - with you. It’s the opportunity to make your choices at times when you might not be able to make those choices yourself. It puts you back in the driver seat.”
Whether you’re supporting yourself or a loved one, a PAD could be the solution you never knew you had. When a crisis comes your way, and #AdvocacyMatters most, we hope the following resources can give you the strength to make tough choices.
A more detailed companion document on Psychiatric Advance Directives can be found on Disability Rights Ohio’s Advance Directives Page
Resources and Links:
If you are interested in learning more about Psychiatric Advance Directives, please check out the following resources:
• National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives
• DRO's Advance Directives Page
• State of Ohio Declaration of Mental Health Treatment
• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: PAD Template
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
If you are interested in learning more about the PAIMI Advisory Council, please see the Disability Rights Ohio’s website: https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/paimi-advisory-council.