Summary of the Rights of Recipients of Mental Health
Services
This is a summary of your rights as a recipient of community
based services under the Rights of Recipients of Mental Health
Services. You have a right to obtain a full copy of the rights
from this agency or from the Department of Health and Human
Services, Office of Adult Mental Health Services, 11 State House
Station-Marquardt Bldg.-2nd Floor, Augusta, Maine 04333, Tel
# (207) 287-4243, TTY #: 1-800-606-0215. If you are deaf or
do not understand English, an interpreter will be made available
to you so that you can understand your rights.
- Basic Rights: You have the same civil, human, and legal
rights which all citizens have. You have a right to be treated
with courtesy and full respect for you individuality and dignity.
- Confidentiality and Access to Records: You have the right
to have your records kept confidential and only released with
your full informed consent. You have the right to review your
record at any reasonable time. You may add written comments
to your record to clarify information you believe is inaccurate
or incomplete. No one else can see your record unless you
specifically authorize them to see it, except in instances
described in the complete rights book.
- Individualized Treatment or Service Plan: You have the
right to an individualized plan, developed by you and your
worker, based upon your needs and goals. The plan must be
in writing and you have the right to a copy. The plan needs
to specifically detail what everyone will do, the time frames
in which the tasks and goals will be accomplished and how
success will be determined. The plan must be based upon
your actual needs and, if a needed service is not available,
detail how your need will be met.
- Informed Consent: No services or treatment can be provided
to you against your will. If you have a guardian, he or
she is authorized to make decisions without your consent.
You have the right to be informed of the possible risks
and anticipated benefits of all services and treatment,
including medications, in a manner which you understand.
If you have any questions, you may ask your worker or
anyone else you choose before making decisions about treatment
or services. If a guardian has been authorized to make
decisions for you, the guardian has the right to be fully
informed of all risks and benefits or proposed treatment
or services.
- Assistance in the Protection of Rights: You have the
right to appoint a representative of your choice to help
you understand your rights, protect your rights or help
you work out a treatment or service plan. If you wish
a representative, you must designate this person in writing.
You can have access to the representative at any time
you wish and you can change or cancel the designation
at any time.
- Freedom from Seclusion and Restraint. You cannot be
secluded or restrained in the community setting.
- Right to File a Grievance. You have the right to bring
a grievance to challenge any possible violation of your
rights or any questionable practices. You have the right
to have your grievance answered in writing, with reasons
for the decisions. You may appeal any decision to the
Office of Adult Mental Health Services. You may not be
punished in any way for filing a grievance. You cannot
be retaliated against for filing a grievance. For help
with filing a grievance, contact the Grievance Coordinator,
11 State House Station-Marquardt Bldg. 2nd Floor, Augusta,
Maine 04333, Tel #: 287-4249 or The Disability Rights
Center of Maine, PO Box 2007, Augusta Maine 04338-2007.
Tel # 1-800-452-1948.
