Procedures to share treatment information among mental health providers, consumers, and families

Although practice guidelines for the treatment of persons with severe menta l illness recommend involving family members in all phases of the treatment process, in many states unclear confidentiality statutes and regulations m ay present a barrier, This paper describes approaches used by a few locales to clarify confidentiality procedures for releasing information to familie s. It presents a model of steps that regional systems or local agencies may take to manage this barrier to provider-family collaboration. Policy guide lines must clearly state that release of information to family members requ ires client consent. A specific form for release of information to families indicating the types of information that may be, released is then develope d. Verbal release of information and a one-year time limit on release are r ecommended. The form, which should comply with state statutes and regulatio ns, can then be integrated into routine clinical practice, Providers should be trained to discuss and explore issues about the release of information with both consumers and family members.