Step 6: Contact Your State Ombudsman

BD SUMHAC recommends making a complaint to the ombudsman’s office as soon as possible after the denial so that the ombudsman can help the mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment facility ensure that the facility’s admissions decisions are consistent with state regulations. 

All states have an office of the ombudsman for mental health and substance use disorderor its equivalent (it may also be called the state office of the inspector general). These offices are independent governmental offices that receive complaints against government and government-regulated agencies. They investigate and take action to remedy the complaints. They provide assistance in the following areas: 

• Concerns or complaints about services

• Questions about rights

• Grievances

• Access to appropriate services

• Ideas for making services better

The ombudsman offices regularly work with mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs. They are typically known partners and outreach from the ombudsman’s office is generally taken very seriously by local facilities/programs.  

A person who has been denied access, their family, or a member of their BD treatment team may contact the office of the ombudsman to make a verbal complaint. Most state ombudsman offices also provide the option to make an electronic complaint.