Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties
Every individual is guaranteed certain rights under the U.S. and Texas Constitutions and other laws which includes:
- The right to reasonably safe conditions of confinement, including access to adequate medical care and rehabilitation services
- The right to refuse medication and unwanted medical treatment
- The right to live in the most integrated setting
If you are in a psychiatric hospital, state supported living center, or a jail, and feel like your rights are being violated, or if you have questions or concerns about the mental health services you are receiving, please call our intake line at 1-800-252-9108 between 9 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday. After selecting English or Spanish, please select 1.
Featured
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Overcoming Civil Death: A Report on Needed Legal Reforms for People Seeking Restoration of Rights
A report about how the broken guardianship system in Texas can prevent people with disabilities from having their rights restored.
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Discharge Rights of Patients in Inpatient Mental Health Facilities
This handout explains what discharge is and the discharge planning rights for patients in inpatient mental health facilities.
Handouts
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10 Self-Advocacy Tips
Self-advocacy is when you let others know what’s important to you so you can influence decisions that will affect your life.
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Voluntary Patient Rights
This handout explains your rights when seeking voluntary inpatient mental health treatment.
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Rights of People Receiving Involuntary Inpatient Mental Health Services
When you're receiving involuntary inpatient mental health services, some rights can't be restricted, while some can be by a judge or doctor.
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Restraint and Seclusion Guidelines: Rights of People Receiving Behavioral Interventions
If you are placed in a mental health facility, learn about your rights related to restraint and seclusion.
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Legally Adequate Consent
Learn about the requirements of legally adequate consent under state law, when legally adequate consent is necessary, and who is authorized to give the needed consent for a person with a disability.
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Suing a Government Entity for an Injury
This handout explains what you must do if you have been hurt by a governmental entity and are thinking about filing a lawsuit.
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How to Make a Complaint About Inpatient Mental Health Services
This handout tells you about the complaint process in state hospitals and state centers operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (“TDSHS”).
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How to Make an Advance Directive
A Declaration for Mental Health Treatment (also called a "Psychiatric Advance Directive") allows you to control your mental health treatment if you become unable to make treatment decisions at a later date.
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Disability Discrimination in Correctional Facilities
This handout provides information about possible agencies, complaint procedures and deadlines that often apply when a person with a disability has a complaint against a prison, jail or juvenile justice facility.
Publications
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Warehoused: Inappropriate Institutionalization of Texas Foster Youth
Learn about how foster youth were admitted for five- to seven-day emergency stays in psychiatric hospitals but then remained for months after professionals determined they were ready for discharge.
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Changing Your Guardianship Without a Lawyer
While it is usually best to have a lawyer to help you, there are situations where changing your guardianship without a lawyer is possible. Learn about asking for a successor guardian or guardianship restoration, modification, and removal in Texas.