Protection & Advocacy For Individuals With Mental Illness

The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program was established by Congress in 1986. The purpose of PAIMI is: To protect and advocate the rights of persons with mental illness To investigate reports of abuse and neglect of persons with mental illness To maintain and operate a protection and advocacy system in the District of Columbia for persons with mental illness People We Serve The PAIMI staff serves individuals who meet all of the following criteria: Have a significant mental illness or emotional impairment as determined by a mental health professional Are or were patients, residents, or clients of facilities providing mental health care and treatment Who, during his or her stay at the facility or within 90 days of discharge, request help for problems related to care and/or treatment PAIMI Priorities The ULS staff is not authorized or able to represent everyone. Requests for assistance are assessed on a case-by-case basis using the following priorities: Rights protection issues Information and referral If ULS is not able to take your case, we will try to provide you with information and/or refer you to another organization.” Facilities Covered In-patient psychiatric hospitals Psychiatric wards of community hospitals Foster care homes Mental health group homes Personal care homes Nursing homes Community-based treatment facilities Schools Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) Other PAIMI Services Provide public information and education about the rights of persons with mental illness Monitor private and public psychiatric hospitals and facilities in the District of Columbia Identify problems in the mental health services system and work to provide solutions through advocacy and education Know Your Rights! As an individual, you have the: Right to appropriate treatment Right to placement in the least restrictive environment Right to participate in your own mental health program Right to refuse treatment Right to freedom from inappropriate restraint or seclusion Right to a safe, healthful, and human environment in facilities Right to confidentiality Right to privacy Right to appeal commitments Right to assert grievances Right to due process of law Right to be free from physical, sexual, or verbal abuse How To Contact ULS To request ULS assistance for yourself or someone you know, call (202) 547-0198 or 1-877-221-4638, or e-mail us at advocacy@uls-dc.org . The office is located at 220 I Street, N.E., Suite 130, Washington, D.C. 20002. SATISFACTION ULS makes every effort to oprovide effective rights-related advocacy, including the decision not to take a case. However, if any individual is not satisfied with ULS’s actions.A copy of the agency’s grievance policy is found at the end of the PAIMI priorities section.