Mental Health Services on Campus
Parents are the most concerned over their child’s mental health. Also, California law protects a parent’s right to give approval before any mental health treatment can be offered to the child.
In recent years, many school districts have attempted to address the mental or emotional needs of students by hiring mental health professionals and offering their services to students on campus. Parents need to be aware that academic guidance counselors are also certified to provide mental health services. In addition, Palos Verdes Schools have partnered with Sage, which is a mental health organization funded by Impact Philanthropy Group, which is funded in part by George Sorros. Many of the Sage counselors are interns in training and are therefore not fully credentialed.
Students are encouraged to drop-in and meet casually with a counselor, or accept a referral from a teacher. Please be advised that according to state law, except in extreme circumstances, minors must have permission from a parent before receiving mental health services. Parents must also be involved with any ongoing therapy. FAM 6924
Click Here for Legal Guidance on Healthcare Services Accessible to Minors
Healthcare for Children Over Age 12
The state of California has given minors over age 12 access to some aspects of healthcare without first obtaining parental permission. The procedures and treatments that they may access on their own are generally in the area of sexual health. For example, a doctor must have parental permission before prescribing acne medicine to a teenager, but the teen may receive treatment for an STD without the parent’s knowledge. Parents may also be prevented from full access to the child’s medical records. A doctor may even try to insist that the parent leave the room while a medical exam or evaluation is conducted. To strictly follow the law, the doctor should ask the teen if it is ok for the parent to stay in the exam room, but they often simply just tell the parent to leave.
If a child over age 12 trusts his or her parent, and would like the parent to continue managing all healthcare decisions, one solution is to sign an Advanced Healthcare Directive, which can be submitted to each healthcare provider. This is a discreet way to avoid confusion or misunderstandings. It also relieves the doctor of any legal problems while caring for the teenager.