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Across the state the directors of county mental health departments have been designated by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) to be the key players in developing and implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). This does not mean that there are not other parties responsible for the successful administering of Kendra's Law. Mental Hygiene Legal Services have to make themselves available for free legal services if a petition is filed against you. The courts, either County or Supreme, will play an important role and NYSOMH will be responsible for training and the designation of program coordinators that will monitor and oversee AOT programs.

The oppression of our community has come through stigma, others being the decision-makers around what services we need, and the lack of needed services. You continue to see the symptoms of our oppression in Kendra's Law on these three points:

The law resulted from stigma around mental illness and violence;
It assumes that forced treatment will keep certain individuals and others safe; and
The law has not been matched with the fiscal dollars to enhance an already depleted system of mental health and housing services.
It is apparent to advocates across the state that the real mental health crisis that New York faces is the scarcity of community services. This scarcity has inherently taken the "choice card" out of the deck for consumers. There needs to be a commitment to provide quality peer services to the consumer community. Programs such as hospital diversion, carelines, consumer drop-in centers, peer advocacy, and housing embrace a philosophy of individuality, choice and peer support. This is significant in light of Kendra's Law. By enhancing peer services we give consumers other options to choose from.
Oftentimes, in the face of oppression, communities have to strengthen the bonds amongst themselves to survive. This is the time to strengthen the bonds within the consumer community. This article is a commitment to continue to educate and empower consumers. Let's not fold the hand we were dealt, but play a five card hand of IDEAS:

Individual Choice does not have to be forfeited. Advance directives (healthcare proxies) will be considered in court if a petition is filed.
Don't Panic. Get the facts and challenge your fears.
Educate Yourself on Kendra's Law and your rights and responsibilities. Don't depend on hearsay.
Advocacy: Our voices need to be heard at both an individual and a systems level.
Self-Help groups and activities: There are alternative supports to traditional services available to you.