In this article, our Iowa mental health lawyers explain the rights mental patients have in Iowa.
When a person receives mental health services, he or she cannot be denied any rights, or privileges or benefits that are guaranteed by law, the State, or the country's constitution because he or she is receiving mental health services. When a person is admitted or is being treated for a mental health issue by a mental health facility it doesn’t automatically mean a person is legally incompetent. Legal competency is decided on at a separate court hearing and if a person is deemed legally incompetent, the court appoints a guardian to assist that person to manage assets and make life decisions.