advance directive

“We’re compatible and we love each other … and have the same interests — fighting for people’s rights,” said Dorio, who, along with Clough, pushed for legislation — signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom — giving families more authority to determine medical decisions for loved ones even in the absence of an advance directive.

He realized that an advance directive written at a time when a person was competent was a potential alternative to compulsory care.

Lack of awareness is a problem across states that have tried to strengthen the role of mental health directives, said Dr. Marvin Swartz, a psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center who runs the national mental health advance directive center with Swanson.

“We lost our son because he lost hope … Hope is a huge aspect of a well utilized mental health advance directive because of that participatory element. That’s really the crux of it.”

His words, written as part of a so-called mental health advance directive, hold legal weight.