| Recipient Rights Persons who receive mental health services have the same rights as anyone else. It is important to understand where rights come from, what they are, and what additional rights are granted to recipients of mental health services in Michigan. When you receive mental health services, Michigan's Mental Health Code and other laws safeguard your rights. Staff are responsible for protecting your rights when they provide services to you. You are encouraged to ask questions about your treatment and about your rights and to make suggestions that you feel are in your best interest. If you believe your rights have been violated, you should inform a Rights Officer/Advisor.
Confidentiality Information about a recipient and his or her treatment is confidential. It is important to understand what is meant by confidentiality, to know what the Mental Health Code requires of you, to recognize instances when the confidentiality of a recipient has been violated, and to know what you should do if this happens. You should ask your supervisor who is authorized to release information about a recipient. This may be different for each recipient. If you are not sure about releasing information, ask your supervisor prior to providing any information. Protecting confidentiality means that, when you are not at work you cannot talk to anyone about what happened with a recipient. When you are at work, you cannot discuss any information with those who are not authorized to receive it. It also means that you have a responsibility to make sure that unauthorized persons are not able to identify recipients.
Abuse and Neglect Abuse is defined as a nonaccidental act by an employee, volunteer or agent of a provider that causes harm to a recipient. Neglect is defined as acts of commission or omission by an employee, volunteer, agent of a provider that causes harm to a recipient and is in noncompliance with a standard of care or treatment. It is important to understand what is meant by abuse and neglect, to recognize a situation that is abusive or neglectiful, and to know what the law requires you to do when you become aware that a recipient has been abused or neglected. As staff if you become aware that a recipient's rights may have been or are being violated, you MUST report this information to the Rights Office. Anyone can file a complaint on behalf of a recipient. This information was gathered from the Michigan Department of Community Health. For more information reguarding Recipient rights and other important requirements please visit their website @ www.michigan.gov/mdch
Summary of Abuse & Neglect Reporting Requirements Recipient Rights Complaint Form
*Recipient Rights training is required by all community mental health standards before an employee is eligable to begin employment. Please check the training section of this website for specific requirements within your area*
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