CAN YOU GET MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITH YOUR FAMILY KNOWING?
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.
Support groups: These may be available for free, and are often held in person or online. Support groups enable people with similar issues and concerns to openly share stories and experiences with one another.
Online forums: Several organizations offer online forums, which are message boards or online discussion sites. By searching topics on a forum, such as sexual identity, divorce and bullying, you may find lots of insights and ideas from people who have faced similar struggles. Check out some of the forums we recommend: National Runaway Safeline, Mental Health America and TrevorSpace for LGBTQ+ identifying individuals looking for a like-minded community and safe space.
Service providers: School counselors, coaches, teachers and nonprofit crisis centers are valuable resources to listen and provide non-judgmental advice. At the National Runaway Safeline, we offer 24/7 crisis support through our hotline and online crisis services (chat, email and forums). Another trusted resource for young people is loveisrespect, which offers 24/7 information and support for those who have questions or concerns specifically about their romantic relationships.
Self-care: Don’t underestimate the healing power of caring for yourself. Writing in a journal, exercising, expressing yourself through art and spending time outdoors are small steps that can have a big impact on your daily mood. Do things that you enjoy and comfort you, such as spending time with people you love and trust, or trying a new hobby.
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.
We’re excited to spotlight Nissa Petrewski, who has been voted as National Runaway Safeline’s Volunteer of the Month for March 2024. This is Nissa’s second time receiving this acknowledgement from the NRS Team, initially being celebrated in April of 2022.
Nissa’s was introduced to NRS at the Chicago Volunteer Expo hosted at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. She was immediately drawn to the details of the organization’s training and preparation for volunteers. Inspired, she decided to complete training and take an active role on NRS’s front lines.
Debby Shen’s commitment to helping others shines brightly through her volunteer work at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). Originally from Ohio and now residing in Chicago, Debby began volunteering in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Luckily, Debby was able to complete training and spend around 6 months taking crisis contact. As mounting challenges with COVID-19 caused organizations around the world to move to a fully-remove model, NRS was forced to temporarily pause its volunteer program. As soon as the program returned, Debby was among the first volunteers to return!
The National Runaway Safeline is thrilled to announce Jackie Barron as the January 2024 volunteer of the month. Jackie’s path to volunteering with NRS was paved with empathy and a desire to make a positive impact. Growing up in a challenging family environment, Jackie often found herself in the “fixer” role (having a keen sense of responsibility, often prioritizing the needs of other before her own), even at a young age. This understanding of adversity and resilience led her to seek out opportunities to give back, ultimately leading her to NRS.
As we step into a new year, January holds more than the promise of resolutions. It’s a clarion call to confront a pervasive crisis: Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This presidentially designated annual awareness campaign, led by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), unites youth-facing service providers and communities through education about human trafficking and the roles we all play in protecting vulnerable youth. The 2024 theme, “Activate Connections to Prevent Human Trafficking,” is a stark reminder: This fight isn’t for the solitary hero. It’s a collective struggle, demanding connections that safeguard and uplift those at risk or already ensnared in human trafficking’s grip.
It’s not often that a nonprofit organization is lucky enough to have long-term volunteers. Fortunately, the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) has been working with John P., our December 2023 Volunteer of the Month, for more than 12 years! John finds that volunteering provides a “meaningful connection with the human experience.” He recognizes something special in helping those in need and wonders why more people aren’t drawn to the fulfilling world of volunteering.
Sam began on her journey with the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) at 16, much younger than the average age of volunteers. She learned about NRS’s volunteer program through her high school’s list of after-school activities. This led her to sign-up for what she called an eye-opening 40-hour training that was so impactful that she still uses the training material to help guide her through difficult chats. Now, as a college student at Washington University in St. Louis, Sam continues to volunteer by talking to young people and concerned adults who reach out through NRS’s chat service.
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