My family and I are struggling with our teen who has a mental illness. Tennessee recognizes 16-year-olds as adults, thus allowing them to sign their own forms and make informed decisions about their health. I think it is absurd to allow a minor who has a mental disorder to have the right to make any type of weighty decisions without parental consent. I took my daughter to a doctor and had to sit by and watch her fill out paperwork that she had zero clue what she was signing—not mature enough to understand.

It is negligent to allow children under 18, who may lack the mental maturity or complete understanding of what they are agreeing to, make independent decisions regarding their mental health without parental consent. Parents should be involved in these critical decisions for the well-being of their children.

Sign this petition if you believe that minors should not be allowed to make significant health decisions without parental guidance in Tennessee!