A MAP to mental health: the process of creating a collaborative advance preferences instrument

To document the process of developing a local advance directive for mental health care, which we are calling a MAP (Mental-health Advance Preferences statement).

Data on advance directive preferences were collected from consumers and service providers using online surveys and analysed using quantitative methods.

Both groups reported strong overall support for advance directives. They particularly favoured inclusion of items concerning personal support at difficult times. Consumers strongly advocated inclusion of statements regarding treatment options. There was broad agreement that advance directives could increase consumers' sense of autonomy and empowerment, but service providers were less inclined to believe they helped consumers engage with mental health services or improve self-management skills. There was a highly significant divergence between service providers and consumers on whether the powers under the Mental Health Act should be able to override the consumer's instructions.

MAPs aimed at facilitating treatment decisions have good acceptability from consumers and mental health clinicians. The use of peer support workers as facilitators may be an important step in successful completion of an advance directive. Future research will aim to examine national implementation of MAPs.