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MH Home > Grievance Process Guide > Preparing a Grievance

Grievance Process Guide for Recipients of Mental Health Services

Preparing a Grievance

If you’re thinking about filing a grievance, there are some things that you can do to prepare.

Write down what happened that made you want to file a grievance.

  • Who was involved?
  • What happened?
  • When did it happen?
  • Where did it happen?
  • Were there any witnesses?

Know what right was violated.

  • Read through the Rights of Recipients of Mental Health Services.
  • If you can’t find the section that applies to the right you think was violated, contact an advocate or someone else who knows about your rights. You will find a list of places to get help with filing a grievance at the end of this guide.

Think about what you want your grievance to accomplish. This is very important. Knowing what you would like the outcome of your grievance to be will help you to get the result that you want.

Start a file and keep it up-to-date. Your file should include:

  • Copies of your formal grievance and appeals;
  • Copies of letters related to your grievance;
  • Copies of any documents you are using as evidence;
  • Notes of any phone conversations you have about your grievance;
  • A list of your witnesses;
  • A calendar of appeal dates and deadlines.