Mental Health Policy & Advocacy for Patients Rights

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 26.2 percent of American adults suffer from mental disorders each year. The responsibility for understanding mental illness, treatment options and patient rights often falls to family members and loved ones who must act as the patient's advocate.

Considerations

• If you or a family member receives treatment for a mental illness, remember that you should be involved in making and understanding the treatment plan, and any questions or concerns should be adequately addressed. Keep a list of all doctors and caregivers' numbers, and a list of all medications taken. Maintain a record of appointments, tests and visits.

Significance

• According to the Patient Bill of Rights of the American Psychiatric Association, a patient has the right to know about the qualifications of those providing treatment, about the financial considerations including insurance coverage, payment options and how grievances are to be handled. They also have a right to privacy and confidentiality.

Function

• Mental health patients generally must consent to hospitalization, although there are some exceptions. A hospital may hold a patient in certain situations such as when there is a credible threat to self or others and observation is necessary to determine the significance of the threat of harm. The time frame for such hospitalizations is typically about a week.