This resource was selected by SMI Adviser content partners and approved by the SMI Adviser clinical expert team for inclusion in the knowledge base.
Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) is a practice used in most states where civil court orders mandate participation in treatment for people with serious mental illness (SMI). AOT was established to ensure that people who are experiencing severe negative consequences from serious mental illness participate in treatment. Throughout the years, AOT has evolved to include community-based treatment models that ideally encourage individuals to be actively involved in decisions regarding their treatment plan. This includes peer-informed care, involvement of family members, and coordination between courts and mental health providers.