Programs for Rights

Alaska Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Program (PAIMI)

This program safeguards the rights of people with mental illness. It investigates reports of violation, abuse or neglect in facilities providing mental health care or treatments. It pursues legal, administrative, and other remedies to endure protection of rights for people with sever mental illness.

Present PAIMI Council Members:

Lauren Swift Consumer in Juneau

Irene Moreland Consumers in the Valley

Diane DiSanto Mental Health Professional in Anchorage

Mary Ellen Synoground Consumer in Fairbanks

Rozz Lieght Consumer in Anchorage

Katsumi Kenaston Consumer in Anchorage katsumi@akmhcweb.org

222-2980, 272-8216

Vacant Attorney

Family member of Consumer

Concerned and Informed Public

You are encouraged to contact the above people when you see and hear of any violation of human rights.

There are other programs for people with disabilities who are not eligible within the Protection and Advocacy System such as;

Alaska Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights Programs (PAIR)

Alaska Client Assistance Program (CAP)

Advance Directives

There are two general types of advance directives.

1. Instructional such as living wills,

2. Proxy, such as durable power of attorney

Each directive is a legal document that lets them describe what services you want to receive if an illness renders you unable to make decisions about your care. For example, if they should require hospitalization, they might prefer a specific hospital or day treatment program. Instructions might include how you want to be treated if you become angry—for instance, to be in quiet room rather than in restraints—or which medicines have proven helpful for you. Give a copy of the directive to your usual service providers so that it can become part of your medical record. Share it with your family, friends, and advocates.

Rights Resources

Alaska Mental Health Consumer Web http://akmhcweb.org/

907-222-2980

Alaska Disability Law Center

800-478-1234

American Bar Association http://www.abanet.org/

American Civil Liberties Union http://www.aclu.org/library/rtsmentsis.html

Judge Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law http://www.bazelon.org/

National Association of Protection & Advocacy www.protectionandadvocacy.com/

National Mental Health Service http://www.mentalhealth.org

800-789-2647

National Rehabilitation Information Center http://www.naric.com/naric/

800-346-2742

U.S. Department of Justice http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

ADA Hotline: 800-514-0301