In the Driver's Seat

The Advocate’s Guide to Self-Directed Mental Health Care

People who rely on public mental health services should be directly involved in designing their own care plan. In what are termed self-directed care programs, individuals may choose from a wider array of services and supports than have traditionally been offered them. Further, they have the flexibility to spend some of the money allocated for their care in new ways, based on an individualized plan and budget.

The Bazelon Center and the UPENN Collaborative on Community Integration have produced a guide to help consumers and other advocates obtain policies that give consumers a primary role in their recovery planning and greater control over how resources are spent to meet their needs. Titled In the Driver’s Seat, the 40-page document includes advocacy strategies and examples of existing programs’ approaches to self-directed care. Fact sheets summarize important aspects such as financing.

In the Driver’s Seat is available free as a PDF to download, or for purchase in hard copy via the Bazelon Center’s online bookstore.