Psychiatric Advance Directives

CA Psychiatric Advance Directive Forms  ​Stories  FAQs  Presentation
About PADs
  • A psychiatric advance directive (PAD) is a legal document that documents a person’s preferences for future mental health treatment, and allows appointment of a health proxy to interpret those preferences during a crisis.
  • PADs may be drafted when a person is well enough to consider preferences for future mental health treatment.
  • PADs are used when a person becomes unable to make decisions during a mental health crisis.


​Articles / Resources

Psychiatric Advance Directives:  Supporting Voice and Choice in Mental Health Crisis Settings, NAMI and SAMHSA May 2022  PowerPoint

​Implementing Psychiatric Advance Directives: The Transmitter and Receiver Problem and the Neglected Right to Be Deemed Incapable, Swartz Et Al, Psychiatry Online
MHSA PAD Project
Multi-County Collaborative Project Plan - PADs
PAD Project Presentation June 2025 (YouTube) Below
Crisis in Control - A film about PADs
​CA counties map by behavioral health region, showing 58 counties plus Berkeley and Tri-Cities. (Sutter and Yuba Counties are one jurisdiction). View map.
The california association of local behavioral* health boards & commissions (cALBHB/C) supports the work of california's 59 local behavioral health boards and commissions by providing resources, training and Technical Assistance. 

Local boards are responsible** for reviewing public behavioral health needs, services, facilities and special problems, and serve in an advisory capacity to local governing bodies and local behavioral health directors. ​

​*"Behavioral" Refers to Mental Health as well as Alcohol and Drugs.
**CA Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC) 5604
Donations are welcome. CALBHB/C is a nonprofit organization.