You have the right to have an advance directive. An advance directive or a living will is a written instruction about your health care that is recognized under California law. It usually states how you would like health care provided or says what decisions you would like to be made, if or when you are unable to speak for yourself.
An advance directive is designed to allow people to have control over their own treatment, especially when they are unable to provide instructions about their own care. It is a legal document that allows people to say, in advance, what their wishes would be, if they become unable to make health care decisions. This may include such things as the right to accept or refuse medical treatment, surgery, or to make other health care choices. In California, an advance directive consists of two parts:
- Your appointment of an agent making decisions about your health care, and
- Your individual health care instructions.
Fresno County Is In the process of leading a state pilot for new psychiatric advance directive (PAD). Fresno County DBH will be working with the Saks Institute, the Blank Institute and the Texas RioGrand Legal Aide to develop process for anyone who wants to develop a PAD can, and working to train local hospitals, providers and first responders on the PAD.
California law defines an advance directive as either an oral or written individual health care instruction or a power of attorney (a written document giving someone permission to make decisions for you). All MHPs are required to have advance directive policies in place and provide any adult who is Medi-Cal eligible with written information on the MHP’s advance directive policies and a description of applicable state law, if the adult asks for the information.
If you have a complaint about advance directive requirements, you may contact the California Department of Public Health, Licensing and Certification Division, by calling 1 800 654-3937, or by mail at P.O. Box 997377, MS 3000, Sacramento, California 95899-7377.
If you have a Behavioral Health emergency
please call 9-1-1
For Access to Services or the Crisis Line,
1 800 654-3937
CalHOPE Warm Line
1 833 317-HOPE(4673)
Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1 800 273-8255