Rights & Responsibilities

Know Your Rights

You are a partner in your mental health care. Illinois law protects your rights. Chapter 2 of the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code [405 ILCS 5] is designed to ensure that your rights are protected. These state laws, in addition to federal laws, protect your right to:

  • Be treated with respect, dignity and regard for your privacy;
  • Be free from abuse, neglect, and harm;
  • Get mental health services in the least restrictive setting;
  • Tell others your opinion about mental health services or any mental health center where you get care;
  • Learn about your mental health services and how to get services;
  • Get information on treatment options. You should be told in words that are easy to understand;
  • Take part in decisions made about your health care. This includes the right to refuse treatment, except if the law requires it;
  • Be free from any form of restraint or seclusion used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation;
  • Ask for and get a copy of your medical records. You can ask that they be changed or corrected;
  • Get interpreter services if you are deaf or hard of hearing;
  • Have your provider make a reasonable effort to find an interpreter for you if you do not speak English;
  • Be told if your provider stops providing services or has changes in services;
  • Get medically necessary mental health care services according to federal law; and
  • Be free to exercise any of the rights outlined above or in Chapter 2 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Any negative impact upon your treatment by your mental health center that relates directly to the exercise of those rights may be subject to investigation as an instance of retaliation.

Contact the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, Equip for Equality, Inc., or your attorney concerning any of these rights.

Your Responsibilities

Because you are a partner in your care, you also have certain responsibilities:

  • Tell your treatment team if you do not understand or if you disagree with your service plan.
  • Give your treatment team the information they need to give you good care.
  • Come to your appointments on time. Call the office if you can not keep your
    appointment.
  • Let your providers know if you change your phone number, mailing address, or move.

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