Many people suffer from suicidal thoughts, and most minors feel like they can’t tell people about these things because they don’t want their parents to know. I know of many cases where a child has sadly ended their own life because they didn’t feel safe.

These tragic events highlight a fundamental issue within our healthcare system— the lack of sufficient confidentiality between children and their doctors or therapists. While the intention behind notifying guardians is to ensure the safety of the child, this very disclosure can sometimes lead to devastating consequences. Children, especially adolescents, need a secure environment where they feel completely at ease to share their innermost thoughts without the fear of immediate exposure to their guardians.

Statistics show that nearly one in five adolescents experience mental health issues [source]. However, many are reluctant to seek help due to fear of breach of confidentiality. If these children are unable to trust their healthcare providers, they may avoid discussing crucial issues, which could otherwise be managed with appropriate intervention.

We are calling on lawmakers and healthcare professionals to revise current policies and introduce more robust child-doctor confidentiality measures. By creating exceptions or limits to forced disclosure, children could utilize therapeutic sessions without panic or fear, leading to more productive outcomes. Specifically, implementing protocols that allow physicians to respect a child's request for confidentiality, except in extreme or life-threatening cases, could prove invaluable.

Addressing this issue holistically, including providing nuanced training for mental health professionals to properly assess risk and developing clear guidelines on when parental notification is truly necessary, could bridge the gap and prevent further tragedies.

Sign this petition to support reducing the barriers faced by children in accessing mental health resources confidentially. Protect the rights of children to seek help, and let’s work towards a safer, healthier environment for all.