MENTAL HEALTH Advanced Directive Plan for Unexpected Events

Mental Health Advance Directive (MHAD)

In 2004, Pennsylvania enacted legislation (Act 194) that provides the opportunity for individuals living with mental illness to create a Mental Health Advance Directive (MHAD) and plan ahead for mental health services and supports in the event they become unable to make decisions for themselves.

An MHAD offers a clear written statement of an individual’s mental health treatment preferences or other expressed wishes or instructions should they become incapacitated.

It can also be used to assign decision-making authority to another person who can act on that person’s behalf during times of incapacitation.

Forms and instructions are on the website below as well as more information.

Mental Health Association PA https://mhapa.org/index.php/mhad/

Mental Health Association in PA, Disability Rights Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association created a guide to MHADs that provides information about the forms and how to complete them. Download this entire publication. It includes the forms and instructions, answers frequently asked questions and is available in English or Spanish.

https://mhapa.org/index.php/mhad/