Mental health is a part of overall well-being. It can be a complex and sensitive subject. For people with mental health challenges, having control over treatment choices is important. This is where a Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD) comes into play.
A Psychiatric Advance Directive is a legal document that allows individuals to explain their choices about mental health care before they may need it. People who have this document can explain what they want for their treatment if they are unable to speak for themselves at the time they need mental health care. Individuals who plan ahead can know that those who are taking care of them are doing so based on what the patient’s wishes are.
One purpose of a PAD is to give people more control over their care. PADs also help family members and healthcare providers to make tough decisions for someone else during a crisis. A PAD often includes details about the patient’s preferred care. This information could include the patient’s wishes about treatment options, medications, therapies, and other kinds of interventions. These instructions improve communication between individuals and their care teams.
Why It Matters
A PAD does more than help a patient make his/her/their own decisions. When patients and families both understand how a patient would like healthcare providers to treat them if there is a crisis, there is less stress for both the patient and the family. Many people may have specific medications or other treatments that they do or do not want. These choices may come from past experiences, cultural beliefs, or personal values. By writing down these wishes in a PAD, caregivers can follow a patient’s wishes better. There can be less confusion. Treatments are more likely to be what the person who is not well thinks is good.
PADs can help shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers. When healthcare professionals know a patient’s wishes, they can order treatments that are more likely agreeable for that individual. This kind of working together can lead to improved outcomes and increased satisfaction with care.
How to Create a Psychiatric Advance Directive
Making a PAD is a personal and thoughtful process. Here are the most important steps to think about when writing one:
What Kind of Treatment Do You Want: Take time to think about what treatments have worked well in the past and which ones have not. What types of therapy, medication, and support systems have helped before?
Talk to Professionals You Trust: It may be helpful to discuss your thoughts with a mental health professional or lawyer familiar with PADs. They can give advice and be sure that the PAD meets legal standards.
Write the Document: Draft your PAD clearly, outlining your wishes in detail. Include information on who you would like to act on your behalf should you be unable to communicate.
Check and Update: Make sure you read and update your PAD sometimes. This is most important if there are changes in your mental health status or preferences.
Share Copies: Give your PAD to your healthcare providers, family members, and anyone else involved in your care. Be sure that people who you want to help you if you need help have it.
Register Your PAD: The New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services has a secure online registry that provides healthcare providers immediate and streamlined access to psychiatric advanced directives. You and your loved ones will have a wallet-size card that shows you have an active PAD.
Conclusion
Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) let people take charge of their own mental health care, especially in times of crisis. By sharing thoughts and wishes about your care before you need help to do so, you may have a more supportive and understanding environment during tough times. Making a PAD can be a big step toward controlling your own future.
