The Advocacy Alliance

Adult Mental Health Advocacy

Our Adult Mental Health Advocates, including Certified Peer Specialists, help to see that persons understand their rights, their rights are respected, and their services are helpful.

The Adult Mental Health Advocate can:

    Assist individuals (and their families with the individuals' permission) with questions, concerns and/or complaints regarding hospital care and treatment.

    Help get answers to questions.

    Help resolve concerns and/or complaints.

    Assist with questions about benefit programs and concerns regarding employment.

    Assist individuals in resolving issues.

    Work with individuals and others, including local/regional mental health offices and counties’ providers to facilitate patients return to their home community.

    Refer individuals to an attorney or agency which provides legal advocacy.

    Provide technical assistance and education regarding patients rights to individuals, their families and hospital staff.

    Ensure patient’s fundamental rights as an individual receiving services in the state mental hospital system.

State Psychiatric Hospitals and Community Psychiatric In-Patient Units must give you a list that details your rights when you are admitted. The advocate is available to help you understand your rights, which include your civil rights, your right to be treated with dignity and respect and rights related to:

    Overall treatment and care

    A mental health advance directive

    Freedom of movement

    Discharge

    Refusing medication

    Private and unrestricted communication

    The practice of religion

    The handling of your personal affairs and possessions

    Payment for any work you do which benefits the operation and maintenance of the facility

To contact one of our Adult Mental Health Advocates you may email us or call us toll-free at 1-877-315-6855.

Adult Advocacy Services are available to persons in the community and at the following state hospitals and community hospital psychiatric units:

    Clarks Summit State Hospital
    1451 Hillside Drive
    Clarks Summit, PA 18411

    Allentown State Hospital
    1600 Hanover Avenue
    Allentown, PA 18103

    Community Medical Center
    1800 Mulberry Street
    Scranton, PA 18510

    Moses Taylor Hospital
    700 Quincy Avenue
    Scranton, PA 18510

    Marion Community Hospital
    100 Lincoln Avenue
    Carbondale, PA 18407

    Pocono Medical Center
    206 East Brown Street
    Stroudsburg, PA 18301

    Resources

    For more information regarding adult mental health services, publications and resources that are available, please click here.