Practicing social justice with persons with mental illness residing in psychiatric hospitals

Abstract

Summary This article examines the practice of social justice with persons with mental illness residing in public psychiatric hospitals by involving them in decision making. Ten guidelines for involving clients in decision making are offered, which were derived from the professional literature and a study of client decision making at a long‐term public psychiatric hospital. Guidelines include making an organizational commitment to involve clients in decision making, treating the mental illness, providing clients with decision making skills, offering clients options, giving clients information to make informed choices, developing structures and processes for client participation in decision making, properly implementing decision making processes, acting upon clients’ preferences, and publicizing clients’ participation in decision making. The article concludes by discussing the roles played by clinical and administrative staff in promoting social justice by involving clients in decision making in public psychiatric hospitals.