“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.

Vermont Forms

Vermont Advance Directive published by Disability Rights Vermont (includes psychiatric issues)

Vermont Advance Directive for Health CarePDF

Vermont Power of Attorney for Health Care formPDF

Vermont Advance Directives Registry (VADR) – Find helpful information at this website provided by the Vermont Department of Health.

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