![pads_logo](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pads_logo.png)
PADS PEER VOICE-ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION PROJECTÂ
Painted Brain (PB) was awarded the PADs Peer Voice-Advocacy and Education Grant a California Statewide Project funded through the MHSA Multi-County PADs Innovation Project.Â
WHAT IS A PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
A psychiatric advance directive (PAD) is a legal, rights document enabling people to plan for, prevent, and/or reduce the severity of potential future mental health crises by:
- Stating preferences regarding mental health treatment inside a psychiatric hospital.
- Providing de-escalation tools to reduce emergency interventions.
- Providing de-escalation tools for law enforcement and crisis personnel.
- Providing information about physical medical conditions and needs.
- Identifying medical and Healthcare Advocates and other supporters.
- Planning in advance to address practical matters.
- Stating preferences regarding mental health treatment inside a psychiatric hospital.
![Exploring the Role of Creative Writing in Mental Health Recovery A person using creative writing as a mental health recovery tool](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-the-Role-of-Creative-Writing-in-Mental-Health-Recovery.jpg)
A PAD may also enable people to identify the supports and services they need to meaningfully integrate in the community by addressing the following issues:
- Housing
- Employment
- Education
- Finances
- Terms of jail diversion, probation, and parole.
- Information on trauma triggers and responses.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF
![make_a_pad A picture of laptop with a mug - the laptop is hosting a zoom session.](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/make_a_pad.png)
![need_a_lawyer a leather handbag with dual leather straps, everything is made of leather and the skin is a nice orange tan while the straps are a nice dark leather.](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/need_a_lawyer.png)
![edit_written_pad an older man struggling to access digital mental health resources on a laptop](https://paintedbrain.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/edit_written_pad.png)
During the darkest moments the PAD speaks for me by allowing me to be an active part of my treatment when I am not able to.
– Aaron Willis
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