Does a person with mental illness have the right to refuse antipsychotic medication?

Yes, a person with mental illness in California has the right to refuse antipsychotic medication. Under California’s Mental Health Law, a person with a mental illness has the right to make their own decisions regarding their own health care, including the right to refuse antipsychotic medication. This is known as the “right to refuse treatment.” However, there are some circumstances under which a person’s right to refuse treatment can be overridden. If a court has found a person with a mental illness to be a “gravely disabled” danger to themselves or others, they may be subject to court-ordered treatment, including medication. In this situation, a person may be involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility and prescribed medication against their will. Additionally, if a person is admitted to a mental health facility voluntarily, they may not have the right to refuse treatment. In order to ensure that a person’s right to make their own health care decisions is respected, it’s important for them to have an Advanced Health Care Directive or Power of Attorney for Health Care in place. These documents allow family members, close friends, or health care agents to make decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. This can help ensure that a person’s decisions about their own health care are respected, even in the event that they are unable to communicate them.

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Does a person with mental illness have the right to refuse antipsychotic medication?

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