“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.

New Hampshire Forms

New Hampshire’s Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care statute allows you to appoint an agent to make healthcare decisions for you if you become incompetent to make those decisions yourself.  Healthcare decisions may include decisions about mental health.  Although not mandatory, it is recommended that you use the statutory Durable Power of Attorney form to appoint your agent.