Individual Rights of Those with Serious Mental Illness

DDD uses a network of Qualified Vendors to provide most services. A key part of this system is choice.

This means individuals and families:

• Can choose their service providers
• Encouraged to be informed
• Expect high-quality services and supports

If you have a serious or chronic mental illness, you have legal rights under federal and state law. Some of these rights include:

1. The right to appropriate mental health services based on your individual needs;
2. The right to participate in all phases of your mental health treatment, including individual service plan (ISP) meetings;
3. The right to a discharge plan upon discharge from a hospital;
4. The right to consent to or refuse treatment (except in an emergency or by court order);
5. The right to treatment in the least restrictive setting;
6. The right to freedom from unnecessary seclusion or restraint;
7. The right not to be physically, sexually, or verbally abused;
8. The right to privacy (mail, visits, telephone conversations);
9. The right to file an appeal or grievance when you disagree with the services you receive or your rights are violated;
10. The right to choose a designated representative(s) to assist you in ISP meetings and in filing grievances;
11. The right to a case manager to work with you in obtaining the services you need;
12. The right to a written ISP that sets forth the services you will receive;
13. The right to associate with others;
14. The right to confidentiality of your psychiatric records;
15. The right to obtain copies of your own psychiatric records (unless it would not be in your best interests to have them);
16. The right to appeal a court-ordered involuntary commitment and to consult with an attorney and to request judicial review of court-ordered commitment every 60 days;
17. The right not to be discriminated against in employment or housing.

Learn more about the rights and responsibilities of individuals and families with developmental disabilities.