Advanced Directives

Mental Health advance directives are legal instruments designed to safeguard those who may lose capacity to give or withhold informed consent to treatment during acute episodes of mental illness. These directives document a competent person’s specific instructions or preferences regarding future mental health treatment.

In Ohio, "advance directives" is the term used to describe three types of legal documents you can complete to express your wishes regarding your future health care: (1) a durable power of attorney for health care (POA), (2) a declaration for mental health treatment, and (3) a living will. An advance directive can be an important tool for you as a consumer of mental health and other disability services to guide your care should your attending physician determine that you lack capacity to make your own health care choices.

FAQs about Psychiatric Advance Directives for Ohio

The National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives

The National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives provides comprehensive information about Advance Directives for Consumers, Family Members and Legal Professionals. The website provides examples of what these Directives look like as well as brief video presentations discussing all aspects of Advance Directives.

Disability Rights Ohio

The Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) is an independent agency of the State of Ohio. DRO Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.

Ohio State Bar Association has the current standard living will, health-care power of attorney, anatomical gift forms, mental health declaration and financial power of attorney forms available for download on their website.