Resources & Publications
The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) has written and published a variety of resources regarding topics that are relevant to our clients. These publications explain legal processes that our clients may experience or may become involved in. Please feel free to use the following resources as a reference and/or guide:
Community Residence Tenancy Law
Department of Mental Health (DMH) Complaint Process
Department of Mental Health (DMH) Complaint Process Form in PDF or Complaint Process Form in MS Word
DYS Project Newsletter March 2006
DYS Project Newsletter August 2006
DYS Project Newsletter March 2008
DYS Project Newsletter January 2009
Guardianship and the Alternatives Handbook
Hospitalization and Discharge Rights
Hospitalization during a Criminal Proceeding
Mental Health Facility: Inpatient Rights
Movement Rights on a Hospital Ward
Privilege Rights on a Hospital Ward
Restraint and Seclusion in DMH Facilities
Restraint and Seclusion in Hospitals, including emergency rooms
Additionally you may want to check out the following websites, which may provide further advice or assistance:
American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability The Commission consists of fifteen members appointed by the ABA President. Its mission is to promote the ABA's commitment to justice and the rule of law for persons with mental, physical, and sensory disabilities and to promote their full and equal participation in the legal profession.
Center for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) CPCS is a fifteen-member body established to oversee the provision of legal representation in nearly 300,000 cases annually to indigent persons in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Committee also oversees the operation of a state department comprised of 126 public attorneys, as well as administrators and administrative staff, which provide legal services of various types to indigent parties.
Coalition for the Legal Rights of People with Disabilities (CLRD) CLRD is a broad coalition of legal and other advocates, including people with disabilities, united to promote empowerment, liberation, and integration of all people with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Coalition seeks to preserve and extend the supports for and rights of people with disabilities through education, legal intervention, and systematic advocacy.
CONTAC serves as a resource center for consumers/survivors/ex-
Department of Children and Family (DCF), Formally Department of Social Services (DSS)
Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Department of Mental Retardation (DMR)
Department of Public Health (DPH)
Department of Youth Services (DYS)
Disability Law Center (DLC) DLC is a private, non-profit public interest law firm providing free legal assistance and information to people with disabilities throughout Massachusetts. It is the Protection and Advocacy agency for Massachusetts and as such, it is responsible for protecting and advocating for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities
Greater Boston Legal Services Greater Boston Legal Services is the primary provider of free, non-criminal legal assistance in the Greater Boston area. GBLS assists low-income individuals, families, and community-based organizations with a wide range of poverty law matters.
Health Care for All is building a movement of empowered people and communities with the goal of creating a health care system that is responsive to the needs of all people, particularly the most vulnerable. Health Care For All is dedicated to making quality health care a right of all people. Or go directly to their MassHealth Defense website.
Mass Legal Help Massachusetts legal aid programs put together this website to help you find practical information about your legal rights.
Mass Legal Services, the online resource for poverty law advocates in Massachusetts. MassLegal Services programs are private non-profit organizations providing free legal assistance to low income consumers.
Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition - (MCC), is a non-profit organization whose membership includes over 15,000 Massachusetts residents who have mental illness and the 32 recovery and rehabilitation centers called “Clubhouses” that help to sustain them.
Massachusetts Correction Legal Services MCLS is a law office that provides civil legal assistance to poor people incarcerated in Massachusetts prisons and jails.
Massachusetts People/Patients Organized for Wellness, Empowerment and Rights (M-POWER) is the state-wide 100% mental health consumer run (c/s/x) advocacy organization. M-POWER has won successful campaigns around the Bill of Rights, informed consent and restraint and seclusion.
National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA) NARPA is an independent organization of survivors of mental health institutions, advocates, civil rights activists, mental health workers and lawyers. Its fundamental mission is to empower people who have been labeled mentally disabled so that they may learn to independently exercise their rights.
National Consumer Law Center is America’s Foremost Advocate for Low-Income Consumer Justice and its Leading Expert on Low-Income Consumer Issues
National Empowerment Center The NEC is a national technical assistance center for mental health consumers and believes in a strong model of individual recovery.
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) for 30 Years of Working for Justice in Health Care for Low Income People. NHeLP is a national public interest law center that provides specialized assistance on indigent health care matters to attorneys and other advocates representing low-income clients throughout the United States. Services include litigation assistance, research, training, publications, legislative and administrative representation.
National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse A consumer-run national technical assistance center serving the mental health consumer movement. We help connect individuals to self-help and advocacy resources, and we offer expertise to self-help groups and other peer-run services for mental health consumers.
National Mental Health Association's National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Center Our purpose is to strengthen those organizations supporting mental health consumers, survivors and ex-patients by providing technical assistance in the forms of research, informational materials, and financial aid.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) is an organization that promotes a strong voice for families of children and adolescents with mental health needs. PAL advocates for supports, treatment and policies that enable families to live in their communities in an environment of stability and respect.
Supreme Judicial Court Reporter of Decisions Now receive Massachusetts decisions online at no cost.