The Saks Institute for Mental Health, Law, Policy & Ethics

The long­-term goal is to empower individuals to become high-­functioning members of society. Supported DecisionMaking (SDM) empowers the individual by giving the ability, rights, and opportunity to plan their care for increased treatment compliance, dignity, and fewer negative impacts to the community. Anticipated long-­term impacts with Saks’ new SDM approach for those with mental illness include increased physical and mental health for the individual sustained over time, improved relationships and stability within their families, the ability to become (and remain) employed, and chance to contribute positively to their communities. As Elyn’s story is a testament, high-functioning people with mental illness are able to optimize their health and greatest professional aspirations, exercising their abilities successfully and contribute to their jobs, relationships, families, and communities in meaningful ways. Public stigma will also be reduced as the public at large will gain greater respect to realize the potential of those living with mental illness. The Saks’ SDM approach could serve as a catalyst for long-­term empowered care with the patient as the architect of his/her life. During and beyond the funding period, Saks Institute and its partners will develop and promote adoption of a new Supported Decision­-Making (SDM) approach customized for people with mental illness. Over the next three years, Saks’ SDM approach will enable first­time inclusion and empowerment involving hundreds of people with mental illness in California, and their support teams. As this SDM approach is developed, recognized and publicized through Saks’ and its partners’ network of national and international contacts, Saks’ SDM approach has the potential for expansion and nationwide scalability during and beyond the award period. This project has the potential to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living with, and caring for those who have, mental illness.