Legal and Ethical Assessment of Mental and Behavioral Health Preparedness

Sponsored by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a project team led by James G. Hodge Jr., is exploring the legal and ethical environments related to mental and behavioral health before, during, and after declared emergencies that impact the public's health.

Among the many topics to be addressed under the guidance of multiple investigators and a Project Advisory Group include: mental and behavioral health services in the public and private sectors, liability, antidiscrimination, disability protections, health information privacy, governmental benefits, professional licensure of mental health personnel, human subjects research, and health and disability insurance. 

Multiple publications, and presentations have been completed.  In addition, several applied tools intended to aid mental health providers, emergency workers, and public health practitioners to address mental health needs before, during, and after emergencies are listed below:    
  1. The Potential Implications of CALIF v. City of Los Angeles for Mental and Behavioral Health Preparedness
  2. Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Preparedness for Health Care Providers and Administrators, Public Health Officials, Emergency Planners, and Others Regarding Mental and Behavioral Health
  3. Prescribing Authority During Declared Emergencies for Mental and Behavioral Health Care Providers
  4. Sample Legal Guidance Letter - Liability for Mental Health Providers
  5. Issue Brief: Substance Abuse Treatment, Emergencies, and the Law
  6. Frequently Asked Questions on Ethical Issues Related to Mental Health Care in Emergencies
  7. Mental Health Legal Preparedness and Crisis Standard of Care
  8. Emergency Detention of Persons Deemed a Danger to Themselves or Others During a Public Health Emergency