
If you have been struggling with mental health problems like depression, here are some things you can do to get help without involving your parents: Find support Educate yourself Consider counselling in school
Full Answer
How do I talk to my parents about my depression?
I’d recommend talking to your parents even if it seems scary, or that they wouldn’t care; give them a hits up and when they don’t listen, tell them that you gave I thought I had depression, and I waited for a long time until I decided to get help; at that point I was self-harming and it was very bad.
Can I get a professional depression diagnosis without my parents knowing?
To be honest depending on how old you are you may not be able to get a professional diagnosis without your parents finding out. In my experience your parents need to be a part of your support system Originally Answered: How can I get checked for depression without alerting my parents?
What do you do when someone asks if you have depression?
Even if you aren’t sure if you have depression, it’s important that they be able to help you, especially since you are still pretty young. It might seem scary at first, but the best thing you can do is be open and honest with them. Let them know that you might need to talk to someone, like a doctor or counselor.
Can I get help for mental health without my family knowing?
- MHA Screening How can I get help without my family knowing? Dealing with mental health issues on your own can be a major challenge. Getting help is an important part of most people’s recovery. But when you’re under 18, it can be hard to know where to turn—especially if you don’t want your family to know.

Can you go to therapy without telling your parents?
In order to be treated by a mental health professional, you need to provide informed consent. In many states, minors cannot provide consent to treatment on their own—a parent or legal guardian must do this on your behalf. Some states make exceptions for sensitive things like mental health.
Can you get antidepressants without parental consent?
In most states, teens under 18 require a parent's permission to receive treatment for depression. There are some exceptions, but in most cases, a child cannot get treatment on their own.
Do psychiatrists have to tell your parents?
"The therapist is not obligated to tell your parents, but they are mandated by law to report any suspected sexual abuse.
How do I get my parents to let me go to therapy?
“Share with them why you want help and recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength.” It might be hard to not blame your parents or bring up things they have done, but try to keep from blaming or accusing them and focus on yourself. Double down on what it would mean for you to get the support you need.
Do doctors have to tell parents if minor is depressed?
A: If you are thinking of hurting yourself or your life is in danger, your doctor will have to tell your parents. Your doctor also may refer you for an emergency evaluation to keep you safe. Tell your doctor or school counselor if you are feeling worried, very upset, or depressed.
Can a 13 year old consent to treatment?
Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they're believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what's involved in their treatment. This is known as being Gillick competent. Otherwise, someone with parental responsibility can consent for them.
What should I not tell my therapist?
With that said, we're outlining some common phrases that therapists tend to hear from their clients and why they might hinder your progress.“I feel like I'm talking too much.” ... “I'm the worst. ... “I'm sorry for my emotions.” ... “I always just talk about myself.” ... “I can't believe I told you that!” ... “Therapy won't work for me.”
Do therapists tell parents what kids say?
Some therapists require parents to consent to a certain level of confidentiality, even when state or federal law affords the child fewer confidentiality rights. The circumstances under which a therapist would disclose information the child shared in therapy. The importance of confidentiality in therapy.
How do I go to the doctor without my parents knowing?
Many family doctors or pediatricians will agree to treat their teen patients confidentially. That means they won't tell parents or anyone else unless you say it's OK. So you may be able to ask your own doctor if he or she will do so.
How do I tell my mom I need therapy?
Here are some tips to make talking about it a little easier.Know that there's nothing wrong with asking for help. “It's just like having a hard time in math,” says Child Mind Institute psychologist. ... Bring it up. Pick a low-key moment. ... Explain how you're feeling. ... Say you want help. ... If you need to, try again. ... Don't wait.
How much does therapy cost?
Average Cost of Therapy Therapy generally ranges from $65 per hour to $250 or more. In most areas of the country, a person can expect to pay $100-$200 per session. Some factors that can affect the price of therapy include: The therapist's training.
How much does a therapist cost?
The average cost of psychotherapy in the U.S. ranges from $100 to $200 per session (depending on the state), according to a 2019 report by SimplePractice, a practice management system for mental health professionals. When seeing a therapist in person, you're likely to be billed per session.
Can doctors prescribe antidepressants to under 18s?
The use of antidepressants is not usually recommended in children and young people under the age of 18. This is because there is some evidence that, in rare cases, they can trigger thoughts about suicide and acts of self-harm in this age group.
Can I get antidepressants without a doctor?
Antidepressant medications require a prescription. You cannot buy antidepressants over the counter and for good reason. Most antidepressants have some side effects and drug interactions, and if/which you'll be prescribed should be left up to a doctor to determine.
How can I get antidepressants?
Many antidepressants can be prescribed by your doctor. But some can only be prescribed if you are supervised by a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. These information pages usually refer to 'your doctor' prescribing this medication. They are the most likely person to prescribe you these drugs.
Can you get medication without parents knowing UK?
At 16 and over you can have your own treatment with its own confidentiality (ie, they don't have to tell your parents). They can treat you, but don't expect to be prescribed medication immediately. Often GPs will opt for counselling or CBT first. Who would the CBT or counselling be with?
What to do if you are depressed?
If you feel depressed, you likely are and are well served by seeing a professional health care worker. Even if you are under 18, you have a right to confidentiality. The health care workers have a ethics code that protects all their patients privacy, unless the person is threatening to do harm to self or others.
How to help someone with depression out of school?
If you are student, speak to your guidance counselor or school nurse.. If you are out of school, you can go to any free clinic and ask to speak to the medical staff for concerns about depression. Also, you can find online diagnosis and self-tests.
What to do if you can't get a referral from your parents?
The Health Department in the town where you live should be able to give you a referral to someone who will do the job without tipping off your parents. If the Heath Department can’t do it, find a credentialed therapist (PsyD, PhD, MD, CNP, MSW, ACSW, APN, NP) in the phone book who, when you tell her/him what you need, will agree in a matter-of-fact way to help you get it.
How to get rid of depression in youth?
You start gyming and control your diet.That is the best anti depressant I have come across.I also went into depression for 6 months long back.But after that,only got depressed with my excessive weight.Until and unless,the depression is due to somebody passing away,pills or counselling really doesn't work much.A good routine,exercise and studying does.A disciplined routine is a good anti depressant.Keep away from social networking sites and mobile phones that cause depression in youth.
What to do if you have a good relationship with your parents?
If you have a good relationship with your parents I would highly encourage you to let them know what is going on with your situation as being your parents they would want to know what you may be going through . Please know that there is nothing to be ashamed of regarding depression, and by getting evaluated and if treatment is warranted, having a loving and supportive family can mean so much. I hope this helps….Good luck to you….
How to help someone with mental health issues?
Ask your school nurse to help you or go to a free clinic or ask your physical health doctor to help you. In the United States, doctors (not mental health professionals) provide 30% of the mental health services. It would be better to go to a mental health provider but your primary physician is better than not getting help if you are asking this question.
What happens if you are wrong with your parents?
If you are wrong, then you can rest peacefully. Also, if there is something else going on besides depression, that doctor would be able to detect it. If your parents are negative on having you be seen by someone, then most likely, they would only believe the diagnosis hearing it directly from the psychiatrist.
What roadblocks should I be aware of?
The first treatments for mental illness that most people think of are therapy and medication . These are medical treatments that require working with a professional. They can be hard to access because:
What to talk to a professional about?
When you do talk to a professional, one of the first things they will probably talk to you about is how to get your family involved. Hopefully they won’t pressure you to do that right away. But it’s a good idea to plan on working towards being able to open up to your family, at least enough to allow them to help you get the treatment you need.
What to do if you are being abused?
Just remember that if you tell these people that you are being abused or that you are making plans to commit suicide, they may be required by law to pass that information on to authorities. Try some self-care.
What is EOB in insurance?
By default, insurance companies notify the policyholder each time the insurance is used. Your parents will get an explanation of benefits (EOB)—a document that states what kind of treatment was received, when, and how much it cost. It may be sent in the mail, or it may be made available online.
Why is it so hard to get help when you're under 18?
But when you’re under 18, it can be hard to know where to turn—especially if you don’t want your family to know. There are lots of reasons why you may want to get help without your family knowing. You may be afraid they’ll react badly. You might feel ashamed that you need help. Maybe your family is dysfunctional or abusive, ...
Can a minor consent to mental health treatment?
You may not be old enough to consent to treatment. In order to be treated by a mental health professional, you need to provide informed consent. In many states, minors cannot provide consent to treatment on their own—a parent or legal guardian must do this on your behalf.
Can family support you if you don't know?
They can help pay for treatment, get you to and from appointments, and find resources you didn’t know about. Your family may be supportive than you know. Any time you open up to another person about your mental health, there’s a risk involved. But people can’t support you if they don’t know you need support.
Why do parents refuse to see a mental health professional?
For a variety of different reasons, there can be times when parents resist the idea of their child seeing a mental health professional. They might be concerned about the stigma associated with any diagnosis that is made, or worried about a recommendation for the child to take medication, for example. There may also be instances when a teen is reluctant even to ask a parent about getting help, such as a teen who is experiencing abuse or an LGBTQ youth who is struggling but not yet ready to come out about his or her sexual orientation.
What is mental health treatment for adolescents?
Typically when it comes to mental health treatment for adolescents, it is the parents who motivate and push their children to attend an evaluation or treatment session. The teens themselves may be willing participants, but usually these appointments would never occur without a parent’s active involvement. In some cases, however, things run in ...
Do teens have to think through what is troubling them?
Under most conditions, they will be trying to help a teen be able to think through what is troubling them and support them in presenting this to their parents or caretakers. In the rare cases when they don’t, there, unfortunately, are good reasons for it.
Can you seek mental health treatment without parental consent?
In Vermont this past year, a bill arose that would allow youth to seek mental health treatment without parental consent. This is already permitted here for certain problems such as substance abuse treatment and sexually transmitted diseases but not for general mental health concerns.
