Can children and young people receive treatment without parental consent?

Typically, when a child under the age of 18 requires health or mental health services, clinicians seek the consent of a parent or legal guardian (Maslyanskaya & Alderman, 2019; McNary, 2014).(1) Parental consent not only informs parents about the services their child is receiving, but also ensures that the services are beneficial and actively support the progress of treatment. However, in some cases, children, especially older adults, teenager— May want to receive the clinician’s services without the parent’s knowledge or consent. This situation can occur in the following cases:

• When an emergency occurs and a parent is not immediately available (e.g., a child planning suicide or other self-harm, or a child experiencing acute symptoms) anxietypanic, or distress).
• A child is confused about a situation and doesn’t want their parents to know about their concerns (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenderor ask young people who have not come out to their parents and are afraid of their parents’ reactions. Young people have questions about safety sex or could be pregnancy; or young people experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, or the criminal justice system).
• child experiences bullyingabuse, or neglect, and fear parental rejection or retaliation if they seek help.
• Parents do not have health insurance and may not be able to afford medical costs treatment;or
• Children understand social, cultural, or religious matters. stigma I don’t want to bring in mental health services. shame Or family disapproval.

Each of these situations may require a different approach. This article explores options for children and young people who may seek mental health services on their own for a variety of reasons.

emergency services

When children experience suicidal When you are faced with thoughts, extreme distress, or other emergency situations, you should know about services designed specifically for such situations. First, you can seek assistance from the National Emergencies and Crisis Hotline by calling 988, texting 988, or chatting online at 988lifeline.org. These services are confidential and provided by trained counselors. These services do not require parental consent, but counselors may discuss whether it is feasible and appropriate to notify parents as part of the support response.

In the case of a medical emergency, drug overdose, emergency situation involving a gun, or other threat of violence, youth may call 911. Operators with this number may dispatch police, ambulances, crisis response teams, or other first responders to respond to threats of imminent harm.

Adolescents may feel more comfortable relying on someone they already know and trust to help them in an emergency situation. This could be a family member, friend, teacher, coach, school social worker, doctor, or other professional you have previously contacted. This person can provide immediate support, but may need to notify others if there are serious concerns, such as child abuse or neglect. Teachers, therapists, and other qualified professionals are required reporters and should contact Child Protective Services if they have concerns of child abuse or neglect. Another valuable resource is the ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD / 1-800-422-4453). This hotline provides 24-hour crisis counseling, reporting guidance, and referrals to community-based services for ongoing support.

Services that do not require parental notification or consent

Children and young people should be aware of having access to professional support, even if they do not want to inform their parents. Age requirements vary by state, with some states allowing consent for mental health services from the age of 12 and others having an age of consent of up to 18. In some states, minors are allowed to see a counselor for a limited number of sessions without parental consent. Additionally, if you are considered an “adult minor,” you may be allowed to see a counselor. A mature minor is a person under the age of 18 who has demonstrated sufficient maturity and understanding and may be permitted to consent to care even if they have not reached the normal age of consent. Please consult List of consent laws in various states To learn more. Please note that the age of consent may vary depending on the type of problem (e.g. school problems, minor emotional problems, drug abuseor abortion).

If in doubt, your child, or a trusted adult who supports your child, can contact a school counselor or other support professional to see if they can get help without your notice or consent. For example, some school systems allow students to meet with career counselors and social workers without parental consent. Other school systems may require notice or consent. In addition to asking about parental consent, it is also helpful to ask service providers about confidentiality, including what types of information must be shared with parents and others (Chung et al., 2024).

Youth may also consider community-based programs that do not require parental involvement. For example, an LGBTQ+ community center may have a coming out group for young people. Faith communities and houses of worship may have clergy who provide pastoral counseling without parental notification. Community centers may have drop-in centers for one-on-one counseling or youth group support. Schools may have peer-to-peer instruction, conflict resolution, psychoeducational groups, wellness programs, and more. Medical clinics may provide certain services to youth without parental consent. For non-emergencies, youth can call 211 to be referred to appropriate services.

Online and AI-based help sources

Young people may use technology in a variety of ways to address mental health and social issues. chat program using artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to request information, participate in problem solving, and have supportive discussions. However, the use of these tools can be risky, especially in crisis situations, as common AI programs are not specialized in providing services such as crisis intervention or mental health counseling. Several online tools have been created to address specific concerns. Examples include apps that promote mediation, stress reduction, problem-solving support, and information about specific concerns such as eating disorders. alcohol abuse problems and family discord. AI tools are not a substitute for professional mental health care, given the risk that AI tools may not provide accurate and appropriate feedback and guidance (Clark, 2025). Even if young people want to use AI or other technology for emotional support, it may be best to consult a mental health professional first. This provider can recommend evidence-based programs and oversee their use to ensure youth receive appropriate feedback, information, and support.

Some online services can connect youth with volunteers and trained mental health professionals using text-based, video, or in-person communication. The quality of online services varies widely and may change over time. Again, it is important to know when online services are helpful and when it is important to seek the services of a qualified mental health professional.

conclusion

life is so stressfulIt is especially aimed at children and young people who are facing challenges at home, school and peer relationships. For young people, conflicts between family members, relationships between peers, datebullying, distress, mental health issues, academic pressure, and other issues that may arise. Ideally, children and young people can share their concerns with their parents and jointly decide to seek support from appropriate counselors and support professionals. If a child or young person has serious concerns that they do not initially want to discuss with their parents, it is also important that they know where and how to seek appropriate help, even without parental notification or consent.

(1) For ease of discussion, the rest of this blog will refer to parents, but this term can also include legal guardians such as foster parents or other family members who have legal responsibility for a minor.