“This time, with a PAD, I did not receive any treatments that I did not want. They were very respectful. I really felt like the hospital took better care of me because I had my PAD. In fact, I think it’s the best care that I’ve ever received.” Read More PAD Stories...

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.

Alabama Mental Health Resources

Alabama Advance Directive for Health Care; living will and health care proxy statute link – click to see the statute as it appears on the Alabama Legislature website.
Note: Once you follow the link, you will need to click on Title 22 > Title 1 > Section 22-8A-4 to see the act 

Alabama Advance Directive for Health Care, living will and health care proxy statute as a pdfPDF

Alabama Advance Directive for Health Care, living will and health care proxy formPDF

Advance Directive forms and instructions authored by Caring Connections 
Use this helpful website to learn more about general advance directives for health care. The site also contains forms for each state.

If you know of any relevant current legislation, pending legislation, or general issues of interest relating to psychiatric advance directives in your state, click here to contact us.