Know Your Rights

As a consumer of mental health services, you have a right to:

Expect good quality help and services.

Ask questions regarding:

credentials, training, and experience of the person helping you;
the treatment plan you will be on, including medication;
the cost of services and provision for payment;
access to your medical records

Seek another opinion about your therapy, whether the therapist is in private practice or works in an agency or public clinic.

Expect confidentiality from the person helping you.

Know that your written consent is required by law for the release of any information about you or your treatment.

Advocacy Links and Information

Community Advocates - Helps low-income persons resolve problems with public and private bureaucracies including SSI/SSD and Medicaid issues (Milwaukee County only). (414) 449-4777

Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network (DAWN) - A statewide grassroots cross-disability network of people who care about disability issues. Supports legislative change in the programs and systems affecting people with all disabilities.

Disability Rights Wisconsin - Protection and advocacy services for persons with disabilities. Offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and Rice Lake.

Independence First Advocacy Action News - Local, state, and federal news.

Mental Health America- Take Action Now! - Provides information on mental health legislation; legislative alerts; policy issues; and MHA position statements.

Mental Health America of Wisconsin Office of Public Policy - State budget and policy issues including updates on mental health parity.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)- Take Action- Legislation action alerts and updates; StigmaBusters.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin - Education, advocacy, and support. 34 affliliates in Wisconsin serving 40 counties.

Vital Voices for Mental Health - Advocates for adults using mental health services provided by the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division.

Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Client Rights Office - Oversees the grievance procedures for state operated facilities and the grievance process for the community.

Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Office of Quality Assurance - Responsible for assuring the safety, welfare, and health of persons using health and community care provider services in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Family Ties - Advocacy, support groups, information and referrals, and education for parents with children with emotional, behavioral and mental disorders.