Implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment
AOT (Kendra's Law in NY, Laura's Law in CA, etc.) has provided consumers with a less restrictive alternative to inpatient commitment and incarceration. Research shows 81% of consumers in AOT say it helped them get well and stay well. Independent research shows it helps the mentally ill by reducing homelessness (74%); suicide attempts (55%); and substance abuse (48%); Keeps the public safer by reducing physical harm to others (47%) and property destruction (43%) and saves money by reducing hospitalization (77%); arrests (83%); and incarceration (87%). It also has a positive effect on the treatment system, saves money, and delivers care to the most severely ill whom voluntary treatments and peer support have not worked for.
Mental Illness Advocate
shared this idea
181 comments
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Anonymous
commented
After years of watching our son spiral out of control and blaming us, He was conserved. In affect he had a court appointed person of authority who could require him to take medications. He never had to be forced to take medications. Just the thought that someone could legally require him to motivated him to do so. For the first time in 15 years we had our son back as the mild mannered compassionate person he was before the mental Illness set in.
It is almost impossible for a parent to provide help and guidance to mentally ill children and there is very little help out there. AOT was the one lifeline to help we had. -
Anonymous
commented
An AOT program is needed for those who lack insight into their illness and consistently refuse service. The "Black Robe" effect of court ordered treatment works to get some of these people into treatment.
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lydia padilla
commented
I feel that Aot needs to be made stronger as it stands now it is a weak law with no teeth.
It is a piece of paper with no enforcement mechanism,
Too many MICA clients fall thru the cracks. when they are non compliant with the AOT Order because the Doctors do not enforce treatment or remand them back to State Hospital which is what is needed!!!!
So how can we work together to make this law work for the recacitrant client who would benefit from AOT??????? -
lydia padilla
commented
I feel that Aot needs to be made stronger as it stands now it is a weak law with no teeth.
It is a piece of paper with no enforcement mechanism,
Too many MICA clients fall thru the cracks. when they are non compliant with the AOT Order because the Doctors do not enforce treatment or remand them back to State Hospital which is what is needed!!!!
So how can we work together to make this law work for the recacitrant client who would benefit from AOT??????? -
lydia padilla
commented
I personally think that while aot is a good program it does include the mentally ill chemical abuser who really needs aot but aot dismisses that population because aot doctors say that the mentally ill have rights and dont need to paticipatr if they choose not to abide by theer rules.
So that a mentally ill chemical abuser who is in in Aot and is non compliant with taking medication or not compliant with attending a day treatment program ,he has a right not to participate!!!I find that unconscionable that Aot can drop the client. Aot has no teeth .Aot cannot enforce the law and mandate the person be remanded to treatment and to take medication!!! so therefore the mentally ill person has rights to thier detriment, Lydia Padilla,Esq -
Anonymous
commented
I work with multiple people who are completely unable to deal effectively with their mental illness (and usually multiple co-morbidities and co-occurring disorders). We have no one or place to assure that they will receive medcations and shelter that they drastically need. This is a program that should be utilized - particularly in states that have no available hospitalization options for most of these individuals. I vote for AOT.
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Louise malcolm
commented
AOT offers hope. Parent of son with mental illness.
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Anonymous
commented
I agree. AOT is very much needed.
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Kathy Harkey
commented
I agree. AOT is needed.
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Diana Hankins
commented
Right this moment I know people who need help and can not get it., Know people MH will not help or 5150 because they say they do not fit the requirements of the law.
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Anonymous
commented
I have a son with mental illness and I feel that AOT is necessary!
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Jackie
commented
We are working to improve our laws in Texas!
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Anonymous
commented
We are struggling to have our son admitted to Maine's AOT, called PTP, progressive treatment program. The medical and legal community are making this difficult. It boils down to understanding the legislation on the books and putting it into effect. Meanwhile our son is finally in Riverview Hospital, admitted from jail and gaining some insight into his illness with a medication called invega by injection. He needs to be discharged to a PTP to continue to make progress and be on a path of wellness and recovery.
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Catherine Mone
commented
Most people would agree that denying a person medical treatment is barbaric. Yet some people fail to see the similarity in denying care to those who are too ill to ask for it.
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Catherine Mone
commented
Why can't I put all 10 of my votes here?
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Anonymous
commented
PLEASE VOTE FOR THIS, THE AOT IS OFTEN THE ONLY RECOURSE FOR FAMILY TO DO ANYTHING AT ALL FOR THEIR MENTALLY ILL FAMILY MEMBERS......MY BROTHER WOULD BE IN JAIL OR DEAD WITHOUT IT.
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Cecilia Arnold
commented
AOT is a win-win. It is a more humane, efficient, and appropriate course of action for a person with mental illness. Plus, it saves costs of incarceration and recidivism.
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judy Bousquet
commented
without aot, ONE DOES NOT STAND A CHANCE OF MOVING FORWARD IN RECOVORY
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Anonymous
commented
AOT is an invaluable help to families and patients alike!
I want to place all 10 of my votes on AOT but the box will not let me click on more than three. Please correct for me.
Thank you!
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Advocate
commented
Assisted Outpatient Treatment aka Court Ordered Outpatient Treatment saves lives.
