This Agency’s program is designed to help you recover from a life-threatening illness that affects a large number of people in our society. Your admission to this program is essentially a contract in which we work together for a common goal. As a client, you have both rights and responsibilities.
The following Statement of Rights available to all clients is to assure that such rights are assured, also, the following policies and procedures are designed to enhance and to protect the human, civil, constitutional and statutory rights of each individual client. Each client in treatment shall be entitled to the following rights and privileges without limitation.
- To have private visits from an attorney, physician, or clergyman at reasonable times.
- To correspond by sealed mail with officials of the Department of Mental Health and other state departments, with an attorney, a court, or the Board of Directors of the Center and the Chief Executive Officer of the Center.
- To have humane care and competent treatment.
- To have as far as possible within the capabilities of the Agency, its equipment and personnel, available as well as medical care and treatment in accordance with the highest standards accepted in medical practice.
- To have safe and clean surroundings.
- To receive prompt evaluation, care and treatment by professional competent personnel.
- To have their individual treatment plan (rehabilitation plan) explained to them.
- To be treated with dignity and addressed in a respectful, age appropriate manner.
- To be the subject of an experiment only with consent or the consent of a person legally authorized to act and such shall be consistent and in accordance with institutional review boards of the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Department of Mental Health and other so duly qualified and recognized bodies.
- To be examined by a private physician at the client’s own expense.
- To be evaluated and cared for in the least restrictive environment.
- To refuse hazardous treatment unless ordered by a court.
- To request and receive a second opinion before hazardous treatment except in an emergency.
- To have records kept confidential and such records may not be released without the prior written consent of the client in accordance with state and federal laws.
- To have the same legal rights and responsibilities as any other citizen, unless otherwise stated by law.
- To not be denied admission or services because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or military status.
- And to be free from abuse, neglect, corporal punishment and other mistreatment such as humiliation, threats or exploitation.
- Any limitations of the client’s rights and privileges listed immediately above must be justified in the client file/record and reviewed by the Director and Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health. Clients shall be informed of their rights in language the client understands.
Clients may correspond directly with the Clients’ Rights Monitor by writing:
Missouri Department of Mental Health
Clients’ Rights Monitor
1706 E. Elm, P.O. Box 687
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
1-800-364-9687