Mental Health

Mental Health
Disclaimer: These materials are based on the law at the time we write them. We try to update our materials; however, laws are regularly changing. If you want to make sure the law has not changed, contact us or another legal source.

Understanding the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act
This pub tells you about “Lanterman-Petris Short Act” or LPS commitments. LPS is for people who are gravely disabled and have a mental disorder. This pub tells you about your rights. It tells you what a court does. It is a guide for patients, advocates and lawyers.
Self Advocacy for Conditional Release Program (CONREP)
This pub is about CONREP. That stands for “Forensic Conditional Release Program.” It is a community program for people charged with a felony and committed to a state hospital. The pub tells you how to get into the program. It tells you about your rights while in the program.
County Mental Health Plan (MHP) Grievances, Appeals, and Fair Hearings
Each county has a County Mental Health Plan. The plans give you mental health services. Some plans arrange and pay for services through other providers. This pub tells you what to do if you are not happy with the services or a plan does not give you or stops the services you need.
Rights in Adult Residential Facilities
This pub tells you about your rights when you live in a board and care home. It tells you about eviction rights. It tells you what to do if you think a board and care violated your rights.
Advance Health Care Directives
This pub tells you about advance directives for health care. You decide what to do about your health care before you cannot make your own decisions. You can say whom you want to make decisions for you. It is binding on health care workers.
Your Right to Receive Mental Health Services in the Language You Understand
This pub describes your right to have mental health services in the language you understand. It tells you how to get an interpreter and get your records translated. It tells you what to do if you cannot get an interpreter or translation.
LPS Conservatorship Courtroom Handbook
This pub tells you about the process for a “Lanterman-Petris Short Act” or LPS hearing. This type of hearing decides whether you are gravely disabled and have a mental disorder. The pub helps you understand what happens in the courtroom. It tells you what to do if you lose your hearing.
Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services Covered by County Mental Health Plans – Adults Ages 21 and Older
You can get mental health services through Medi-Cal. You can get them through fee-for-service or managed care plans. In addition, you can get Medi-Cal mental health services through county mental health plans. This pub tells you about county mental health plan services.
Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT)
This pub tells you about electroconvulsive treatment or ECT. The pub tells you what ECT is. It tells you when it is given and what your rights are to refuse it.
Handbook for Challenging Mental Health Conservatorships
This pub tells you about year-long mental health conservatorships. It tells you how to challenge conservatorships in court. It has frequently asked questions. It has sample court papers.
Confidentiality of Mental Health Records/Information
This pub tells you about your right to keep your mental health records private. Others cannot see your records without your consent. There are times when others can see your records without your consent. This pub tells you about those times. It tells you whom to contact if you have questions about your rights.
Peer Training Manual: How to Avoid Seclusion & Restraint
This pub gives ideas to prevent or reduce the use of “seclusion and restraint.” Often facility staff use them to control resident behavior. This pub reviews your rights. It explains seclusion and restraint. It helps you identify your triggers and gives you tips to avoid them. It tells you about advance directives and how they can help you.
Advance Directives
An Advance Directive, also known as a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, is a legal document. It allows you to state in advance what you want to do about your health care if you become unable to make your own healthcare decisions.
Home & Community-Based Services for Individuals Subject to Temporary LPS Conservatorship - An Unfulfilled Promise?
This pub tells you about policies county public guardians and conservators use. It tells you about ones used for people on temporary conservatorship under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act. This is for people with mental health disabilities. The pub looks at assessments. It looks at placing people where they can live as freely as possible. It has ideas to make sure people get help where they live.