Advocacy & Support
The Americans with Disabilities Act
Information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Commission on Quality of Care
We serve New Yorkers with all kinds of disabilities by providing independent oversight of programs
and services designed to meet their needs, and by offering legal, advocacy, training, information,
and technical assistance services to promote their full inclusion in all aspects of community life.
File of Complaint or Grievance
(635kb)
(Español)
Provides you with a process to have your complaint investigated and registered.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
(HIPAA)
- Privacy Rules
- Understanding HIPAA,
NYS Mental Hygiene Law and the Confidentiality of Mental Health
Treatment and Information in New York State
(185kb). In an “question and answer”
format, HIPAA rules and regulations are explained as they pertain to families, patients and providers.
Infusing Recovery–Based Principles into Mental Health Services–The “White Paper”
Inpatient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
New York’s rights of inpatients in NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) mental health psychiatric centers.
Out Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
New York’s rights of outpatients in NYS OMH licensed programs.
For Families
- Family Survival Handbook
(671kb)
The Family Survival Handbook is a collection of practical, useful information contributed by over 65 family caregivers from New York City and State who have learned from experience how to navigate the public mental health system in New York State. - Make the Mental Health System Work for You: When families
join the Mental Health Care Team Everyone Benefits
(935kb)
Mental health treatment outcomes can be dramatically improved when families are active partners in mental health treatment. The unique strengths and knowledge that family members can contribute to the treatment process can benefit everyone–the patient, the practitioner, and the family members themselves! * If you have accessibility issues with this PDF please contact
Office of Consumer Affairs, or visit the accessibility link at the bottom of the page. - When a person
with a mental illness goes to prison; How to Help; a guide for Families and Friends
(836kb)
A guide to help you to be an effective advocate for your loved one by arming you with comprehensive information about the prison mental health system and providing you with strategies for getting the best results for your loved one.
Resiliency
-
Connections - A Mental Health Newsletter
Disseminates information to service providers and interested individuals on mental health promotion activities and events in Victoria, Australia. - Healthy People
A guide for building community coalitions, creating a vision, measuring results, and creating partnerships dedicated to improving the health of a community. Includes “Strategies for Success” to help in starting community activities. - Five Steps to Building Resiliency
These steps to building resiliency will help you recover from failure and setbacks, which will increase your success at work and strengthens your personal relationships! -
Personal Resilience: Sustainable Self–Esteem
Personal resilience is our ability to recover from setbacks, to embrace change and to soften, rather than fight, in the face of hardship. I would suggest that it can be viewed as a kind of sustainable, robust form of self–esteem. - Your Resilience Profile: An Personal Assessment Tool
Learn more about your personal resilience by completing this assessment tool.
Comments or questions about the information on this page can be directed to the Office of Consumer Affairs.