Adult Advocacy Program

//Adult Advocacy Program
Adult Advocacy Program 2024-02-12T16:27:32+00:00

To contact NAMI Keystone PA’s adult mental health advocate, call the HelpLine at 1-888-264-7972. The HelpLine is staffed Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

Know your rights, know your options

Adult Advocacy

NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s Adult Advocacy Program helps individuals and families navigate the mental health system, better understand their rights, and address concerns they have with their care.

What We Do

  • Provide information about your rights
  • Assist with grievances and complaints
  • Help problem-solve issues with your treatment providers
  • Attend meetings with you if you need support
  • Keep treatment providers focused on your needs
  • Provide training and assist in completion of Mental Health Advance Directives
  • Advocate for individuals involved in the Acute Community Support Plan process

A Mental Health Advance Directive (MHAD) is a legally binding document that helps you communicate your mental health wishes to your treatment provider when you are unable to do so. An MHAD is a recovery tool that ensures your voice will be heard during the treatment process even if you become unable to communicate your preferences to your provider.

What are the benefits of an MHAD?

  • Gives you power over your mental health decisions
  • Gives you a choice in hospitals, medications and who is involved in your treatment

If you are interested in completing an MHAD for yourself, our advocate will help you select a meeting location that is convenient for you. There is no need to arrange for transportation to our office.

MHAD trainings for service providers can be done onsite at your office or at the location of your choice.

For more information on Mental Health Advance Directives, contact NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s adult mental health advocate at 412-366-3788 or toll free at 1-888-264-7972.

Download PA MHAD Instructions and Forms

During the course of your recovery, you may be referred by your treatment team for an Acute Community Support Plan (ACSP). An ACSP is a person-centered, strengths-based discharge plan that you develop with your treatment providers. The ACSP is designed around your preferences and choices. The goal is to gather resources that you will need in your recovery journey.

Who participates?

  • You
  • Family or Friends
  • Facilitator/ Recorder
  • ACSP Coordinator
  • Treatment Team
  • Adult Mental Health Advocate

How can an advocate help?

Your advocate’s role is to ensure that you have a voice in your treatment, you understand your rights, and you can make informed decisions. To accomplish this, we:

  • explain the ACSP process.
  • advocate for you to make choices free from coercion.
  • help you voice your goals for the ACSP process, such as housing, outpatient treatment, and employment.
  • check in with you between ACSP meetings and provide support.

Where to Meet Us

Our adult advocate meets with clients involved with the ACSP process at facilities throughout the area.

For more information on Acute Community Support Plans, contact NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s adult mental health advocate at 412-366-3788 or toll free at 1-888-264-7972.

NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania has put together a guide for the African American community that includes resources in Allegheny County.

Download the Guide

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