A thorny issue that arises time and time again occurs when a teenager undergoes treatment for a health or mental health problem. Dr. Klass discussed this problem earlier this week over at the New York Times from a medical perspective, but the same confidentiality challenges …
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When in High School, I went to a therapist, in New Jersey. I was fourteen or so at thee time. Although a previous school (when I was eleven) had required I see a psychiatrist as a stipulation for continued enrollment, my parents offered me boarding school as an option, which I chose.
This was the first time I’d sought help. My mood swings were getting too much for me to handle and I’d started to SI. Unfortunately, by law he was required to tell my parents. I had told him of an overdose I’d taken, which as a suicidal act, had to be reported.
They met him, in an awful, tense session. After that, whenever I went to meet him, my mother would ask what it was that I could tell him, that I couldn’t tell her.
I stopped going. It took me far too long to seek help again, time lost that will never be regained. I don’t want to scare kids out of getting help. Rather, I would encourage them to stay the course, however hard. Because the sooner you can get help and guidance,the faster you can become the best you can be.
I think making teens aware of a professional’s confidentiality policy is important, as it creates an opportunity for a troubled individual to have an outlet and some support, where they may not feel comfortable opening up to a parent, teacher or family member. I know as parents we always hope that our kids would come to us, but having other support groups out there is just another line of protection for our kids.