The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new mobile app, My Mental Health Crisis Plan, allowing individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) to create a plan to guide their treatment during a mental health crisis. The app was developed through SMI Adviser, a project funded by SAMHSA and administered by the American Psychiatric Association.
The app provides an easy, step-by-step process for individuals to create and share a psychiatric advance directive (PAD). A PAD is a legal document that includes a list of instructions and preferences that the individual wishes to be followed in case of a mental health crisis, should they not be able to make their own decisions.
My Mental Health Crisis Plan allows individuals with serious mental illness to clearly state treatment preferences, including treatments to use and those not to use; medications to use and those not to use; preferences for hospitals; and preferences for physicians and other mental health professionals. Individuals can decide who can act on their behalf, by designating a trusted person (sometimes referred to as “health care agent,” “proxy,” or “health care power of attorney”) as a decision-maker on their behalf. Some states require appointment of a decision-maker to carry out the PAD instructions. Individuals can also identify whom to notify in the event of a mental health crisis. They can also share the plan with others, including doctors, other members of the care team, and family and friends. The app includes state-specific requirements for completing the PAD (such as signatures, witnesses, notary public), and allows it to be shared via PDF or QR code with whomever an individual chooses.
SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
My Mental Health Crisis Plan is available in the Apple App Store at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my-mental-health-crisis-plan/id1497373282 and Google Play at https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=e4c7790e-b8935025-e4c74831-0cc47a6d17cc-7421cff1bb889925&u=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.smiadviser.apa&hl=en_US.
This was reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on October 1, 2020.
Contact information: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857; 877-726-4727; Website: https://smiadviser.org/mymhcp
