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Resources

RESOURCES


Mental Health Advance Directive (MHAD)

In 2004, Pennsylvania enacted legislation (Act 194) that provides the opportunity for individuals living with mental illness to create a Mental Health Advance Directive (MHAD) and plan ahead for mental health services and supports in the event they become unable to make decisions for themselves. A MHAD offers a clear written statement of an individual’s mental health treatment preferences or other expressed wishes or instructions should they become incapacitated. It can also be used to assign decision-making authority to another person who can act on that person’s behalf during times of incapacitation. A completed MHAD is legally binding and MUST BE followed by attending medical personnel.

MHADs offer several key benefits. Correctly implemented and executed, they can:

  • Promote individual autonomy and empowerment in the recovery from mental illness;

  • Enhance communication between individuals and their families, friends, healthcare providers, and other professionals;

  • Protect individuals from being subjected to ineffective, unwanted, or possibly harmful treatments or actions; and

  • Help in preventing crises and the resulting use of involuntary treatment or safety interventions such as restrain or seclusion.

Click to Request MHAD Handbook

Pennsylvania Codes

Mental Health Procedures: PA Code 55, Chapter 5100
Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 51 Pa.B. 172 (January 2, 2021)

Outpatient Psychiatric Services: PA Code 55, Chapter 1153
Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 51 Pa.B. 172 (January 2, 2021)

Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics: PA Code 55, Chapter 5200
Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 51 Pa.B. 172 (January 2, 2021)

Liability for Community Mental Health and Disability Services: PA Code 55, Chapter 4305
Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 51 Pa.B. 172 (January 2, 2021)

Partial Hospitalization: PA Code 55, Chapter 5210
Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 51 Pa.B. 172 (January 2, 2021)

Description of Services and Service Areas: PA Code 55, Chapter 4210
Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 51 Pa.B. 172 (January 2, 2021)

Intensive Behavioral Health Services: PA Code 55, Chapter 5240
Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 51 Pa.B. 172 (January 2, 2021)

Social Security Benefits and Disability for Mental Health Conditions

Disability Evaluation Information for Social Security Benefits

Social Security Disability Benefits
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