Patient/Client/Resident Rights

You have the Right to All of the Following*…

Personal Rights

Be cared for in a safe and clean environment by competent health care professionals;
Be free from chemical and physical restraints and involuntary seclusion (unless medically necessary);
Be free from abuse, neglect and harassment. This includes physical, mental, emotional or financial abuse;
Have staff make fair and reasonable decisions about your treatment and care;
Participate in religious services and social, recreational and community activities to the extent possible;
Be paid, with some exceptions, for any work you do;
Make your own decisions about things like getting married, voting and writing a will, if you are over the age of 18 and have not been found legally incompetent;
Be given the chance to exercise and go outside for fresh air regularly and frequently, except for health and safety concerns;
Receive treatment in a safe, psychologically and physically humane environment;
Be treated with dignity. We will respect your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences;
Not have your care affected by your race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, illness, handicap or ability to pay; and
Contact a family member or representative and your personal physician to notify them of your admission, or have a staff member do so on your behalf. You may refuse to have others contacted.

Treatment Rights

Staff involved in your care will introduce themselves to you and explain what they are going to do;
You must be provided prompt and adequate treatment, rehabilitation and educational services appropriate to you;
You must be allowed to participate in the planning of your treatment and care;
You must be informed of your treatment and care, including alternatives to and possible side effects/ risks of treatment or medications;
You have the right to refuse treatment or medication unless it is needed in an emergency to prevent serious physical harm to you or others, or a court orders it. [If you have a guardian, however, your guardian may consent to treatment and medications on your behalf.]
You may not be given unnecessary or excessive medication;
You have the right to leave against physician’s order unless under a legal hold;
You may not be subject to electroconvulsive therapy or any drastic treatment measures such as psychosurgery or experimental research without your written informed consent;
You must be informed, in writing, of any costs of your care and treatment for which you or your relatives may have to pay;
You must be treated in the least restrictive manner and setting necessary to achieve the purposes of admission to the program, within the limits of available funding; and
You have the right to formulate Advanced Directives.

Communication and Privacy Rights

You may call or write to public officials or your attorney;
You may not be filmed, taped or photographed unless you agree to it;
You may send and receive private mail;
You may use a telephone when you wish;
You may see visitors and designate who may visit;
You must be provided privacy when you are in the bathroom and while receiving care for personal needs;
You may use and wear your own personal articles and clothing;
You must be given the opportunity to wash your clothes;
You may use your own money as you choose, within some limits;
Your treatment information is kept confidential unless the law permits disclosure;
Your records may not be released without your consent, unless the law specifically allows for it; and
You may ask to see your records.

*Unless your or others’ safety or security is at risk.

Please note: For children and adolescents receiving mental health treatment, please see these additional rights brochures: Inpatient Mental Health or Outpatient Mental Health.