Protecting our Rights During and After Disasters

Shari Myers, Melissa Marshall, J.D., and Imari Kariotis

People with psychiatric diagnoses/experiencing extreme altered states are disproportionately impacted by disasters. They are also less likely to receive equal access to disaster-related programs and services even though this is legally required. Often people with psychiatric diagnoses/experiencing extreme altered states are institutionalized due to lack of government planning and support during and after disasters. In some states, people have been civilly committed or threatened with civil commitment because they refused to evacuate.

In this workshop, presenters will highlight some of the rights that people with psychiatric diagnoses/experiencing extreme altered states have during and after disasters, and ways to prevent civil commitment during and after disasters through personal and systemic planning.

Learning Objectives

Participants will understand:

• That people with psychiatric diagnoses/experiencing extreme altered states are left out, locked up or left behind during and after disasters.
• That people with psychiatric diagnoses/experiencing extreme altered states have legal rights not to be locked up which are not suspended during and after disasters.
• Some of the ways that people with psychiatric diagnoses/experiencing extreme altered states can prepare for disasters so they can stay safe and in the community during and after disasters.
• Some ways to be involved in disaster planning that has a goal of eliminating disaster-related institutionalization and maximizes community support.