SAMHSA: Psychiatric Advance Directives to Promote Community Living

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, join the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to learn how psychiatric advance directives (PAD) can promote community living! This event will describe the benefits and challenges of completing a PAD, highlight the role peers can play in advancing PAD usage, and share tools and innovations. Provider, advocate, and peer perspectives will be included.

A PAD is a legal tool that allows a person with mental health and co-occurring substance use condition(s) to state their preferences for treatment and services, particularly during crisis situations, and can protect a person’s autonomy and ability to self-direct care.

People with mental health conditions, their families, peer support specialists, and health and behavioral health professionals—including state and county providers—who want to learn more about psychiatric advance directives are invited to join. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions and to connect with others around the country.