What is a Ulysses Agreement?

A Ulysses Agreement (UA) is an informal care, treatment and personal management agreement plan. It is similar to a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) or Family Care Plan. It is not legally binding like a Representation Agreement.

A Ulysses Agreement is a plan made when an individual is well, to be put in place if and when a person becomes unwell. It is created by the individual living with a mental illness or addiction in collaboration with others (i.e. friends, family, mental health team, etc.). A Ulysses Agreement is a collaborative process.

Why Create a Ulysses Agreement?

If a person living with a mental illness or addiction has children or other dependents, it is beneficial to develop a Ulysses Agreement with other family members, friends, and/or mental health professionals who are part of their support team. This creates openness and transparency about the person’s mental health challenges, and helps empower not only the person living with mental illness, but those around them.

While a Ulysses Agreement is not legally binding, it represents a positive way for an individual to take an active part in their own treatment. It offers an opportunity for the individual to plan for and build a strong support base in the event of a relapse. It is also useful to indicate how a representative should take into account a Ulysses Agreement when making decisions for the person they are not able to do so for themselves.

Building a Ulysses Agreement together helps an individual to know that they are NOT alone in coping with their mental illness.

A Ulysses Agreement doesn’t need to be long or exhaustive, it can be as simple as a few sentences that are a part of their discharge plan that is discussed with the clinician before they leave the hospital or treatment centre.

What to Include in a Ulysses Agreement

Things for a person living with mental illness to consider including when creating a Ulysses Agreement:

• What do I look like and how do I function when well?
• What are some early signs indicating that my mental health may be declining?
• Who would notice first and what should they do?
• Who is part of my support team, and who should be notified?
• What is the plan of action?
• What other personal business needs to be taken care of?

Remember…

• A Ulysses Agreement CANNOT be created without the individual living with the mental illness
• DO NOT encourage an individual to create a Ulysses Agreement when they are not well

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this section is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. We encourage you to seek legal advice when dealing with any of these issues.

Additional Resources

The following are a list of useful resources that covers all planning mechanisms that address decisions for a person who has become incapable of making decisions.

• Representation Agreements
• “It’s Your Choice: Personal Planning Tools” — This document is published by the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia
• Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry — A non-profit created to offer information and resources related to Representation Agreements and other planning tools
• A local BCSS Regional Educator — BCSS Regional Educators can help you find the resources you need and walk you through the different resources available to you