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The mental health attorneys at Abrams Fensterman are specially trained and experienced in applying state mental hygiene, public health and education law, as well as applicable federal law to all cases referred to them. They also employ both straight line interventions as well as those which require the ability to “think out of the box” to develop appropriate and timely legal and clinical interventions.
Here are some common questions and answers from the Mental Health Law Department at Abrams Fensterman that may answer your questions.
1. Our daughter is struggling with a mental illness. She lives on her own and will not take her medications. We are scared for her safety. What can we do?
There are many things that can be done. To understand your options, you should seek guidance from a mental health attorney or other professional who can guide you through the various resources available to help you and your child, including mobile crisis teams, the EMS system, and the court system. The critical factor is to realize that time is of the essence to insure the safety of your loved one and others.
2. Our son has been hospitalized in a psychiatric facility. What are our rights? What are his rights?
New York's Mental Hygiene Law and other statutes provide a broad array of rights and obligations both for your hospitalized child and his care providers. Additionally, family have certain rights under particular circumstances.
3. What is Assisted Outpatient Treatment under "Kendra's Law"?
Assisted Outpatient Treatment provides for court ordered outpatient care through a court designed treatment plan for individuals who are non-compliant with treatment and meet certain qualifying criteria.
4. How do we help our loved one stay out of an inpatient hospital setting?
This is the most difficult question presented to the Mental Health practitioner. There are many tools in both the mental health legal and clinical systems that may be employed to minimize the recurrence of hospitalization. It is critical to speak to someone who is knowledgeable, has access to critical resources, and can assist you in navigating the maze of laws and clinical options.
