Mental Health Youth Bill of Rights:
THE TIME FOR YOUTH VOICE IS NOW!
As a part of the 2009 Portland National Youth Summit, young adult leaders from across the United States drafted a Mental Health Youth Bill of Rights. Their vision is that this Mental Health Youth Bill of Rights will be adopted by organizations such as Youth MOVE and SAMHSA and clearly displayed in every doctor's office, counseling center, and organization that services youth, ages 14-25, with mental health needs. In an effort to strengthen this document, Youth Summit participants are asking for additional feedback and support from anyone involved in the mental health network – professionals, consumers, allies, etc. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and receiving your support!
We believe that all youth should have the following rights in their mental health care:
1) Youth have the right to be leaders of their psychiatric treatment plans.
Youth should be informed of the possible side effects of medications, how long recommended medications take to go into effect, and the possible long-term effects of recommended medication. Service providers should work with youth to explore possible alternatives to using psychiatric medication before medication is given. Communication between youth and all medical providers should be collaborative, clear, and with limited use of medical terminology.
2) Youth have the right to evaluate their mental health services.
Mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other service providers should provide opportunities for youth to evaluate the satisfaction of their services throughout the duration of care in a respectful and non-threatening manner. This includes evaluation of the relationship with the provider, counseling plans, and implemented treatment models.
3) Youth have the right to service transitions that are as non invasive as possible.
When youth are transitioning into new services, mental health programs should strive to make the transition as accommodating as possible for the youth. Youth should be consulted on the ways they would like to end their relationship with the current provider and whether they would like the current provider to share their file with their new provider. Providers should share if there will be any changes in the costs of services and/or insurance coverage.
4) Youth have the right to trained, sensitive treatment providers.
Youth should have access to mental health professionals that are familiar with the unique needs and challenges of youth with mental health needs. All mental health professionals should have specialized training that fosters positive youth development and support. Youth mental health service consumers should be included in the creation and implementation of these trainings.
You can also experess your opinions about the Youth Bill of Rights by taking the Youth Summit survey.
Questions for Discussion:
- Overall, do you think young people need a Mental Health Bill of Rights?
- Are there any additions you believe should be made to this document? What are they?
- Are there any items that you believe should be omitted? Which one(s) and why?
- Are there any items you believe should be reworded or changed in some way? If so, how?
Your thoughts…
Comments:
 As one of the youth who worked on this document I am glad that PSU is spreading some light on it.
One of the best things that came out of the conference! Posted Monday, November 16, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Way to go everyone! Great work, great campaign, lead
on. I got my start in youth rights, and I was a teenage
psychiatric inmate, so this does my heart good. I
direct MindFreedom International, an independent
nonprofit that works on many of these issues. For
information just google MindFreedom International.
Let us know how we can support getting out the word
about this. Posted Thursday, November 12, 2009 by David W. Oaks, Director, MindF at 07:06 AM
I think this is a great idea and agree on all points mentioned. I would also say that Youth should be granted the right to be fully informed of their diagnosis, the symptoms they show, and the ramifications of the condition to their lives and relationships. I know that when I was diagnosed, I had to educate myself on my conditions and struggled to understand what they meant to my life and relationships with others.
Posted Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by We're all in this together... at 09:36 PM
I think this is a first step towards youth & adults viewing & ackowledging mental health issues openly & honestly & without shame, stigma, or feelings of negativity. Kids with these types of issues need to be empowered & heard more than anybody....I know, I was one. Posted Friday, November 6, 2009 by sarah at 11:30 AM
As an educator and an advocate for individuals with emotional or mental health disorders; I thrive on seeing them independent, self-determined, and resourceful, but the decisions made in their life must be theirs. I support the Bill of Rights draft, sll too often their voices are lost in the mix of another' discussion of what to do. .or . .how to fix things.
I am at a school where the principal cares, attempts to educate the staff and faculty, and expects much more of me as an advocate than any other previously. We are on the cutting edge of things to happen for everyone who can use these rights to enhance their life.
Some caution is recommended, because youth in transition need to be trained and educated as to how to carry their voice so not to make immature decisions or choices that are not knowledgeable. Therefore, we need tons of mentors who can remove the top down discussions and encourage a friendly exchange of information.
So, from way over here in Minnesota; Your efforts are being applauded as well. Keep the vision.
Jean W. Kronebusch
Special Education Teacher
Lewiston-Altura High School
Lewiston, MN 55952 Posted Monday, October 26, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Great, and about time! However, since this isn't my field of expertise I may be out of line here, but shouldn't there be something included to confirm that counselor-youth services are confidential, even to parents and caregivers? Looking back on my own childhood, that would have been the most important point for me. Had I known that conversations were private, or private if I do not consent otherwise, I'd have tried harder in therapy. I'm aware that youth don't always enjoy the protections adults do, so even if it is the case that counselor-youth sessions are confidential, the youth themselves may not know that. Just a thought... Posted Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 12:00 PM
I think this is fantastic. As a parent of a young adult with a diagnosis I know once I accepted the fact that he needed to make his own choice and have a voice in his treatment and education, this is when I saw him grow the most! I wish there had been more information and more youth voice in our community so I could have come to this realization sooner. As manager of our community's family resource center (funded and housed with a children's mental health provider) I would like to know when I can post this bill of rights and start encouraging our parents and professionals to honor it. Posted Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:35 AM
As a provider of mental health services for nearly 30 years and a parent of 2 children with bipolar disorder, this is far overdue. I would like to add another feature. As children and adolescents with any kind of mental health issue are a most overlooked and misunderstood population in the school system where they spend the most time, every school that receives public assistance should be required to have one person who has had extensive training in childhood mental health disorders, and the varieties of treatments which include least invasive methods as well as nutrition and vitamin therapies as possible adjuncts to medication treatments. Those people who are trained can be used both as a reference and as an advocate for these kids. Too often these kids drop out of school or are marginalized to the point that they attempt, and too often are sucessful at suicide.
Parents of behaviorally different kids are often at odds with school officials who make no attempt to understand their kids disorders and instead blame them ( the parents) for "not setting boundaries, or enabling them to act differently". This sets up a hostile environment for education and not people mutually working towards actually educating youth our most precious resource in America Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 at 12:19 PM
The concept of trained adult peers assisting the youth to put in place a psychiatric advanced directive should be included in the first bullet. Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Any thoughts of addressing the right to refuse treatment? I would think this could be very different for a 14 year old as opposed to a 25 year old. I'm sure legal authority varies by state but perhaps could be included. Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Number three might need some tweaking. The sharing of information may be neccessary.. so if a youth said I don't want my file transfered to the new service provider and there is critical information regarding Medication reactions or other things.
Over all I think this is fabulous and needed. Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 09:52 AM
I like the idea of the Bill of Rights for transitional age youth. I have been working exclusively with 16-25 year olds who are DMH clients for several years. I have been a Young Adult Case Manager for DMH since DMH rolled out it's Initiative's and Trainings specifically for Young Adults. I have worked in DMH for bothe the adult side and the children's side. I voluntered to be a TRANSITIONAL AGE CASE MANAGER as I have spent time in both systems of care and know first hand the EXTREME OBSTACLES THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE FACE. All of my time and energy goes into connecting with the youth and the families and all other aspects of the communities where they live ;Courts, Hospitals, vocational and educational resources, Special education Schools and Main Stream schools for the Seven Towns that I cover. I run anger management and social skill biulding groups for these young Adults.I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT 14-25 IS THE MOST STIGMATIZED AND DISEMPOWERED POPULATION IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. THE YOUTH VOICE IS THE KEY TO HELP RE-STRUCTURE AND CHANGE SERVICES IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM. NOW IS THE TIME TO UNITE YOUNG ADULTS AND THOSE WHO SERVICE THEM AND BEGIN A JOURNEY TOWARDS RECOVERY THAT IS VERY LONG OVERDUE.
THANK YOU FOR THIS CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THIS EXCITING NEWS.
ED CURLEY,L.M.H.C.
TRANSITIONAL AGE CASE MANAGER
METRO NORTH SITE OFFICE
781-224-7923 Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Great! When can we move it out of draft and start using it? Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 05:25 AM
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