Since 2020, organizations around the country, including the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), are hearing from an increasing number of young people about mental health struggles. Further, more kids under the age of 12 are reaching out reaching out to NRS than ever before; this is likely because young people are becoming more aware of their mental health struggles, particularly their own anxiety and depression, and increasingly comfortable seeking anonymous help.
Turning to the NRS crisis services team – and taking it a step further to speak with a therapist – takes courage! Young people may fear being judged by their peers, worry about how their family/guardian may react, or be concerned that the information they discuss will be shared with their family.
If you’re under 18, you might ask, can I speak with a therapist without having to inform my parent/guardian? That’s a reasonable and important question. The answer is: it depends.
In order to be treated by a mental health professional as a minor, you must provide informed consent. According to Mental Health America, in many states, minors cannot provide consent to treatment on their own – a parent or legal guardian must do this on your behalf.
You might also ask, how would a therapist get paid if my parent/guardian doesn’t know I’m receiving mental health services? For minors who are on their parent’s/guardian’s health insurance plan, the insurance can be used with parental consent. Additionally, the policy holder will receive an “Explanation of Benefits” notice any time the insurance is used. Therefore, it may not be possible to hide the fact that you are seeing a mental health professional from your parent/guardian.
We were intrigued by the findings of a 2022 survey by The Trevor Project that identified common reasons LGBTQ youth do not seek mental health care. Sadly, 45% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care did not receive it due to “concerns with obtaining parent/caregiver permission.” See the top 10 reasons below:
Based on this information, you might ask what you can do if you need mental health counseling, but want to keep this from the adults in your life? Fortunately, there are options for support — and these can be kept private from your parent/guardian.
Taking care of yourself and starting the journey toward bettering your mental health may not be easy, especially if you are still living under the supervision of your parents/guardians. But remember that there are resources available to support you in times of need.
Remember, if you are unsure of where to look or what steps to take, please know you can contact the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat online with us at 1800RUNAWAY.org.
NRS friends and supporters may remember 2022 NRPM Award winner Max Neri, who was honored for his involvement in his own community as a NRPM Youth Ambassador. Max is now being recognized by the NRS staff as the Volunteer of the Month!
It’s reasonable for anyone experiencing a crisis to be emotional, especially when you’re young and struggling with a mental health issue or unable to find resources to help support your needs. The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) takes pride in being available 24/7 to help young people and concerned adults work through these frustrations, whether by providing referrals to life-saving resources or being a supportive listener.
According to the United States Department of State, each year, an estimated 27.6 million people are trafficked worldwide. Despite the prevalence, there are many misconceptions about human trafficking.
Here are some of the common myths and misconceptions and clarifications about why they are inaccurate.
Mallory began volunteering with NRS in 2019 as a way to make an impact in the lives of youth in crisis. Having experienced homelessness as a child, Mallory knows NRS’s mission and programs are extremely important.
A Philadelphia native who today calls Chicago home, Doug has been volunteering with the National Runaway Safeline since the late 1990’s. Like many NRS volunteers, Doug found the organization while looking for opportunities to directly impact the lives of young people in need. He was intrigued by the idea of phone crisis intervention and thought volunteering with NRS would be an exciting and challenging experience.
As a New Hampshire-based nonprofit, Waypoint’s mission is to empower people of all ages through an array of human services and advocacy. In addition to serving youth experiencing homelessness, they offer programs for seniors and adults with disabilities, children with developmental or chronic health conditions, families affected by incarceration, and others throughout the state.
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