Our Patient Advocates provide support and a voice for San Diegans who are receiving (or have received) behavioral health services at any inpatient psychiatric unit, crisis house, licensed residential treatment facility, licensed board and care, skilled nursing facility, and substance use disorder treatment facility. In partnership with both patients and providers, we work to protect patients from abuse, neglect, and discrimination. Behavioral health clients have the same legal rights afforded to every American citizen.
A new law in San Diego County is expanding the definition of “gravely disabled” and will be effective January 1, 2025.
The new definition will be expanded to include the following (changes underlined): A condition in which a person, as a result of a mental health disorder, a severe substance use disorder, or a co-occurring mental health disorder and a severe substance use disorder, is unable to provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing, shelter, personal safety, or necessary medical care.
Access a one-page PDF that provides a detailed summary of the new legal definition of grave disability under SB-43.
“Your interdiction as a patient advocate for my fiancée probably saved her life. From the bottom of my heart, I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for what you have done for us.”
We Listen
to your concerns and investigate complaints.
We Respond
to grievances about rights violations during treatment and services.
We Represent
patients at legal and clinical review hearings.
We Connect
individuals with legal resources and mental health services.
We Educate
individuals on their rights and help them develop self-advocacy skills.
We Speak Up
for County Jail inmates receiving mental health services on the Psychiatric Security Unit.
We Monitor
behavioral health facilities for compliance with patients’ and residents’ rights laws, regulations, and policies.
We Partner
to provide in-service training for individuals and facility staff.
The Patient Advocacy team works to improve the behavioral health system by providing information, monitoring, training, and consulting to facilities throughout San Diego. Advocates are also certified to provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for social workers, marriage and family therapists, nurses, Skilled Nursing Facility Administrators, Substance Use Disorder Staff, and Board and Care Administrators.
Want to know more about your rights as a behavioral health consumer and your responsibilities as a provider? Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and discover our resources below.
Patient Advocacy Overview – English
Patient Advocacy Overview – Spanish
Board & Care Facilities – English
Board & Care Facilities – Spanish
Independent Clinical Review – English
Independent Clinical Review – Spanish
LPS Conservatorships – English
LPS Conservatorships – Spanish
Seclusion & Restraint – English
Seclusion & Restraint – Spanish
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Advocacy – English
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Advocacy – Spanish
Writ of Habeas Corpus – English
Writ of Habeas Corpus – Spanish
Crisis House/Centers – English
Crisis House/Centers – Spanish
Resolution of Grievances – English
5150 Form
This form should only be used by sworn peace officers and individuals who are currently authorized to initiate 5150s by San Diego HHSA Behavioral Health Services
Notice of Certification for up to 14 Days Pursuant to 5250
Notice of Certification for up to 30 Days Pursuant to 5270
Notice of Request for Writ of Habeas Corpus
Notice of Certification for Additional 14 Days Intensive Treatment
14-Day Hold and Hearing Information Sheet for Patients
AB-2275: Due Process Hearings in Non-Designated Locations
Definition of Grave Disability
Expansion of Definition of Grave Disability (effective January 1, 2025)
Involuntary Detention Guidelines
LPS Summary/Mental Health Law Flow Chart
San Diego County Resolution on Designating Behavioral Health Professionals
Patients’ Rights Poster – English
Patients’ Rights Poster – Arabic
Patients’ Rights Poster – Farsi
Patients’ Rights Poster – Spanish
Patients’ Rights Poster – Tagalog
Patients’ Rights Poster – Vietnamese
San Diego County Grievance Poster – English
San Diego County Grievance Poster – English (large font)
San Diego County Grievance Poster – Arabic
San Diego County Grievance Poster – Chinese
San Diego County Grievance Poster – Farsi
San Diego County Grievance Poster – Korean
San Diego County Grievance Poster – Somali
San Diego County Grievance Poster – Spanish
Residential Treatment Residents’ Rights (SUDs)
Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers (MHRCs)
LPS Designated Facilities Patients’ Rights
Skilled Nursing Facilities Residents’ Rights
Crisis House Residents’ (Social Rehabilitation Facility) Rights
Board and Care (Adult Residential Facility) Residents’ Rights