Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute Peter Blanck (second from left) was part of a meeting that brought together people affected by mental illness, peer supporters, CEOs and state leaders.
Burton Blatt Institute Helping to Advance Digital Psychiatric Advance Directives
The , in partnership with CEO Maggie Mortali from the New York City and CEO Marco Damiani from the , examined the development of digital Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) in New York state.
PADs are legal documents that promote individual rights and self-determination by allowing individuals to specify their treatment and support preferences in advance of a mental health crisis. The convening on May 12 explored how digital PADs can improve person-centered behavioral health support in New York.
The meeting brought together people affected by mental illness, peer supporters, CEOs and state leaders. Speakers included Ann Sullivan, commissioner for the NYS Office of Mental Health, and John Barbuto, NYS executive deputy commissioner of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Also participating were representatives from nonprofit organizations, peer support networks, law enforcement and provider associations focused on behavioral health services.
“The convening resulted in a collaborative discussion among individuals dedicated to the rights of individuals affected by mental illness,” says Peter Blanck, University Professor and chair of BBI. “Digital PADs align with a core mission of BBI to ensure that new technologies are available to people with disabilities.”
“Digital PADs are a rights document that speaks for the individual during a mental health crisis to others such as family and mental health specialists that the individual voluntarily chooses,” says Kiran Sahota, project director for , the first in the country.
BBI and its partners are planning follow-up discussions and convenings to advance the use of digital PADs in New York State, with the shared goal of building more responsive, equitable and person-centered systems of care.
