We are collecting information from consumers about Psychiatric Advance Directives. This info will be compiled and given to the Office of Consumer Affairs. You can read some materials on their website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mh/rights-legal/action_planning.html

Attached you will find two documents that will help individuals learn more about planning tools that can be used in the event of a mental health emergency. Self-guided educational tools have been created to provide information about Mental Health Advance Directives, Power of Attorney, crisis plans, and WRAP. The User Guide For Maine Consumers on Mental Health Advance Directives will inform individuals about the purpose of an advance directive, the power of attorney and how they are used. The guide should be helpful to Maine consumers in deciding whether or not to make use of these legal tools. Additionally you will find a reference document that compares Mental Health Advance Directives, Crisis Plans and a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). This is a useful instrument to help individuals distinguish between three types of planning tools.


Feedback from the initial round of comments has been incorporated into the documents. We will continue to receive feedback about this documents and edit as necessary in six months. This will give individuals more time to give better feedback on the usefulness of the documents. It was clear in the initial feedback period that it is important to get more basic information out about these planning options. More information will be coming in the future. If you have feedback, please send to either leticia.huttman@maine.gov or naya.blue@maine.gov .


The documents may also be found on the web at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mh/rights-legal/action_planning.html