The Full Informed Consent: Transforming Mental Health Care through transparency and trust

Mental healthcare is often presented as a refuge of safety and support, with providers emphasizing adherence to the “standard of care” as a guarantee of quality. However, for racially marginalized communities, this standard frequently conceals significant harms. Families can find themselves blindsided and betrayed by a system they trusted to provide help, only to face inequities and systemic failures instead.

This is where full informed consent becomes vital—not just as a legal requirement, but as a transformative practice. By exposing hidden risks, acknowledging systemic inequities, and fostering collaboration, full informed consent restores trust and empowers families to navigate mental healthcare with clarity and confidence.