“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.

Mississippi Forms

Mississippi’s Uniform Health Care Decisions Act allows you to appoint an agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incompetent to make those decisions yourself.   Health care decisions may include decisions about mental health.  Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended that you use Mississippi’s statutory form to appoint your agent and/or write instructions.