Youth Mental Health Crisis: Schools Aim To Increase Access to Therapy Sparks Concern from Parents

mental health Mental Health Crisis parents

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Feb 10, 06:21 am

Photo: (Photo : TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

In New York on Friday, February 9, 2024, Derry Oliver, aged 17, is seen hugging her mother, who shares the same name, during a visit to a nearby playground.

Amid the challenges of remote learning and the isolation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the younger Oliver turned to therapy for support, despite encountering resistance from her mother.

Parents' Support Needed for Youth Mental Health

The challenges are exemplified in the case of Derry Oliver, who, despite struggling with depression, faced resistance from her mother when the school suggested therapy during her fifth-grade year.

The reluctance persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic when Derry sought help for the isolation effects of remote learning.

The broader issue of parental consent for student therapy has become a polarized topic, with some states aiming to streamline access while conservative politicians in other regions propose restrictions, alleging attempts to influence students and sideline parents.

This clash of perspectives intensifies as young people increasingly discuss mental health openly, and schools allocate pandemic relief funds to hire more mental health specialists and implement telehealth and online counseling services.

Research indicates that the requirement for parental permission serves as a significant hurdle for teenagers seeking mental health treatment.

This obstacle is particularly critical for LGBTQ+ youth, who face higher suicide rates and may encounter parental disapproval of their sexual orientations or gender identities.

Policymakers are beginning to address the question of when young people can autonomously consent to mental health treatment, with some states lowering the age of consent.

However, issues such as parents' involvement in curriculum decisions and transgender students' rights further complicate the matter in certain states like North Carolina.

Outside of legal considerations, financial constraints pose another significant barrier to therapy, as it is rarely free, and parental support is often necessary for payment or insurance claims.

While teens in New York can consent to therapy from age 16, obstacles such as limited applicability in certain settings and exclusion of medication prescriptions persist.

Government's Respond to the Issue

New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently announced a collaboration with Talkspace to offer free online counseling to all city teens through the NYC Teenspace program, requiring parental consent in most cases.

Despite years of discussions between Derry Oliver and her mother, progress towards accessing therapy has been limited, emphasizing the need for trust in the therapeutic process.

Trust issues with schools and mental health services are common, particularly in predominantly Black and brown communities, contributing to a racial divide in therapy utilization among children.

The statistics reveal discrepancies in therapy access, with 14% of white children reporting therapy usage compared to 9% of Black children, 8% of Hispanic kids, and only 3% of Asian American children in 2021.

Derry Oliver, while achieving academic success and college acceptances, reflects on the crucial factor of therapy access in her decision-making process for the future.

Youth Mental Health

The mental health of youth is influenced by a combination of protective and risk factors, and efforts can be made to promote positive mental health and minimize mental health issues.

Youth with mental health disorders may encounter challenges in their homes, schools, communities, and relationships. Despite these obstacles, for most young individuals, mental health distress is episodic rather than permanent.

With the support of treatment, peer and professional assistance, and a robust family and social support network, most can successfully navigate the challenges associated with experiencing a mental health disorder.