Policy Recommendation: Self-Directed Mental Health Service Delivery
Recommendation
The Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services should develop a pilot for self-directed mental health services in the integrated managed care system. The pilot should be developed with the goal of maximizing consumer choice and personal responsibility for achieving recovery.
Self-Directed Services Overview
Self-directed services (SDS), sometimes referred to as consumer directed services, is an alternative approach to the traditional delivery of community services for individuals with mental health conditions. Mental health treatment has traditionally focused on a medical model that primarily considers an individual’s illness and accompanying deficits intending to eliminate their symptoms. With this model, participants receive services based on a limited menu of treatment options, services and supports with limited choice and control over their treatment plan. Self-directed services shifts attention from eliminating symptoms to a focus on goals that use an individual’s strengths to achieve recovery.