53-21-1301. Purpose. The purpose of this part is to:
     (1) promote more timely, informed, compassionate, and effective mental health care;
     (2) recognize the right of any person who has capacity to give or withhold informed consent for mental health services;
     (3) prevent unnecessary delays in receiving care for a mental disorder in times of impending or actual crisis;
     (4) allow a person with mental illness to provide the legal authority for provision of health care during a period of incapacity, even over the person's own protest;
     (5) reduce the use of costly legal interventions, including emergency detentions, civil commitment, involuntary medication, and guardianship;
     (6) minimize the impacts of crisis on people, families, communities, and providers; and
     (7) support the relationship between the provider and the patient by promoting thoughtful, constructive, and timely communication.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 329, L. 2011.