“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.

South Carolina Mental Health Resources

South Carolina Health Care Powers of Attorney statute link – click to see the statute as it appears on the South Carolina Legislature website. 
Note: Once you follow the link, you will need to scroll down to section 62-5-500 to view the legislation. 

South Carolina Health Care Power of Attorney statute as a pdfPDF

South Carolina Advance Directive Forms provided by the South Carolina Bar

Although South Carolina does not currently have a specific statute for a psychiatric advance directive, you can learn more about general advance directives for health care in South Carolina at the Caring Connections website. 

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.