People with mental illness must have access to decent, safe, and affordable housing.

People with mental illness must be welcomed in every workplace in the County, working in jobs that are meaningful and pay a living wage.

People with mental illness must have access to private healthcare insurance that does not discriminate on the basis of mental illness.

People with mental illness must have access to advocates and ombuds staff in State-run institutions and in the community.

People with mental illness must have every opportunity to choose their own doctors and other care providers.

People with mental illness must be allowed to participate in determining their own mental health treatment.

People with mental illness must have access to and choice of a wide range of service options, including consumer-operated services.

People with mental illness must have access to a mental health system that is founded on the principle that all services are voluntary, with the consumer’s informed consent, and where confidentiality is protected.

People with mental illness must be treated with basic human respect and dignity.

People with mental illness must be treated as people first.

(Developed by the On Our Own of Montgomery County Advocacy Committee - October 6, 1999.)