Implementation and activities of protection and advocacy programs for persons with mental illness
Abstract
In 1986, following public hearings, the United States Congress enacted a federal grant program to enable the states and territories to create independent protection and advocacy programs to investigate reports of abuse and neglect of persons with mental illness in residential facilities and to pursue legal, administrative, and other remedies on behalf of those persons. The author discusses implementation of the law and performance of the protection and advocacy agencies in the program's first six years. About 20,000 individuals were served by the program in 1991 and in 1992. The largest category of complaints in those years concerned access to services. Besides representing individuals, protection and advocacy agencies provide referral and information services, public education, outreach, training, and class- action representation. As mental health systems change and fewer persons live in residential facilities, access to protection and advocacy services for persons with mental illness living in the community will become increasingly important. Advocacy will also be important in ensuring enforcement of new laws and policies affecting care and treatment.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
