Assisted Outpatient Treatment

What is it?

AOT is court ordered community-based mental health treatment under civil court commitment (La R.S. 28:65-76) for adults who are diagnosed with a serious mental illness and have a history of treatment non-compliance.

What is Serious Mental Illness?

Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is defined as a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder that has caused significant functional impairment and prevents or limits a person’s daily activities. Examples may include Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar or Major Depression. Persons may believe they are not sick, refuse to take medications or other treatment and struggle meeting their own basic needs without assistance.

What do we do?

The program seeks to motivate participants to comply with treatment. This includes monitoring by a treatment team that includes a judge, legal advocate, mental health clinicians, case manager and peer support. We assess the person’s needs and provide case management, establish services through local mental health agencies to provide therapy, medications, peer support and transportation if needed.

How to Refer?

Any interested person or agency can make a referral to begin the process.