New SAMHSA app to help people develop a crisis plan

Published:
October 26, 2020

My Mental Health Crisis Plan App logo

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new mobile app earlier this month, called My Mental Health Crisis Plan, which helps individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) create a plan to guide their treatment during a mental health crisis.

Download the app on Google PlayDownload the app on the Apple App Store

From the SAMHSA newsroom:

 

The app was developed through SMI Adviser, a project funded by SAMHSA and administered by the American Psychiatric Association.

The app provides an easy, step-by-step process for individuals to create and share a psychiatric advance directive (PAD). A PAD is a legal document that includes a list of instructions and preferences that the individual wishes to be followed in case of a mental health crisis, should they not be able to make their own decisions.

My Mental Health Crisis Plan allows individuals with serious mental illness to:

Clearly state treatment preferences, including treatments to use and those not to use; medications to use and those not to use; preferences for hospitals; and preferences for doctors and other mental health professionals.

Decide who can act on their behalf, by designating a trusted person (sometimes referred to as “healthcare agent,” “proxy,” or “health care power of attorney”) as a decision-maker on their behalf. Some states require appointment of a decision-maker to carry out the PAD instructions.

Identify whom to notify in the event of a mental health crisis.

Share the plan with others, including doctors, other members of the care team, and family and friends.

The app includes state-specific requirements for completing the PAD (such as signatures, witnesses, notary public), and allows it to be shared via PDF or QR code with whomever an individual chooses.

SAMHSA My MHCP App
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