[NYAPRS Enews] KRCG: More on Mental Health Advance Directives

[Matt Canuteson]

Healthwatch- Mental Health Advanced Directives   

KRCG TV    September 16, 2008 

 

BACKGROUND: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental
disabilities are common in the United States and internationally. More
than 26 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable
psychiatric disability in a given year. That translates into about 58
million adults, including 13 million adults struggling with severe
psychiatric disabilities. 

 

THE IMPACT: The burden of mental disabilities on health and productivity
is vast. Research collected by the Global Burden of Disease study
conducted by the World Health Organization, the World Bank and Harvard
University shows that the effects of psychiatric disabilities, including
suicide, accounts for more than 15 percent of the burden of disease in
established market economies such as the United States. This is more
than the disease burden caused by all cancers.....

 

A NEW VOICE: Many people with psychiatric disabilities worry they will
not be able to communicate their wishes in the event of an emergency.
Now, a legal document known as a psychiatric advance directive (PAD) may
help. The document is designed to instruct health care professionals,
family members and friends about how people with psychiatric
disabilities are to be cared for when they are incapacitated. Patients
can give instructions on what medications or treatments to use and what
hospital is preferred. 

 

Like a living will, most PADs require two witnesses and notarization. A
2006 survey conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center
found less than 15 percent of people with psychiatric disabilities have
completed PADs. Researchers also found use of the documents reduced the
use of coercion during a mental health crisis and improved
patient-doctor relationships. While this document can be helpful,
doctors can override parts of it if they believe there is a better
treatment for the patient.

 

HOW TO GET ONE: Completing a PAD is free. The documents are available in
about 25 states throughout the country. To find out more about how you
or a loved one can create a psychiatric advance directive, log onto
http://www.nrc-pad.org or http://www.nrc-pad.org/content/view/204/67/
<http://www.nrc-pad.org/content/view/204/67/> .

 

IN NEW YORK STATE:

 

FAQs <http://www.cqcapd.state.ny.us/hottopics/advdifaq.htm>  and
necessary forms may be found:  text format
<http://www.cqcapd.state.ny.us/hottopics/advdifm.htm> , or in pdf format
<http://www.cqcapd.state.ny.us/hottopics/adv_dir.pdf> .

 

http://www.krcg.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=192277
<http://www.krcg.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=192277>  

 

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