In recent years, the legislation of many countries has been steadily moving towards maximum protection of the rights of children, including health care. In some cases, children, and more specifically, teenagers, are given the right to seek help even without any parental consent. For example, if a child suffers from some mental disorder, and their family is against them taking any drugs.
On the one hand, this is an absolute advantage, because if a child lives in an unhealthy family with abusive tendencies, this can really help them and prevent worse outcomes. On the other hand, if everything is fine in the family, but the parents were not informed properly, problems may also arise.
For example, Eli Holt from the State of Washington recently faced a situation in which his 15-year-old son took antidepressants for an entire semester without anyone telling his father. Holt expressed his outrage at the school rules in a video on TikTok, which immediately went viral, gaining about 270K views and about 4.2K various comments.
More info: TikTok
The school counselor reached out to the Original Poster and told him that his son did not pick up his antidepressants at the end of the school year
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It all started when Holt received a phone call from his son's school counselor who told him that the boy did not pick up his antidepressants at the end of the school year. To say that the dad was surprised would be an understatement. Eli demanded an explanation from the school employees - and this is what he found out.
Image credits: @mr.notnew
A few months ago, the OP's son was prescribed antidepressants by the school psychiatrist
It turns out that a few months ago, the school psychiatrist examined his son and concluded that the teenager needed a course of antidepressants. As a result, the boy was on drugs for several months, confident that his father knew about it. But no one told Eli!
Image credits: @mr.notnew
There are several reasons, according to the OP, why he should have been informed
First, the father is sure that his son does not have any depressive disorders. Secondly, a situation could happen if, for example, Eli, not knowing about the drugs, could offer his son maybe a glass of wine - and then something really bad could happen.
Image credits: @mr.notnew
Thirdly, the boy could have been prescribed medication for some other illness, without knowing about antidepressants, and an allergic reaction could have also happened.
Image credits: Anders Sandberg
Under state law, school doctors have the right to prescribe antidepressants even without informing the parents
Finally, Eli found that under Washington state law, school doctors do have the right to prescribe antidepressants to children if the child has a dysfunctional family with unhealthy relationships. "But we're fine with that," Holt says indignantly. "Then why wasn't I informed?"
Image credits: @mr.notnew
In any case, Eli notes that this is his child, and above all, the parents are responsible for him. "It’s not their kid to give a prescription to," he says. "And I wholeheartedly believe that they should’ve told me."
Image credits: @mr.notnew
The state of Washington has poor statewise data as to the average rates of mental illnesses and access to medical services
In fact, as per the MHA annual data, Washington State ranks in the mid-forties out of all states in terms of average rates of mental illnesses and access to medical services, which is quite low and definitely needs to be improved. Perhaps that is why state law provides for similar measures that Eli Holt and his son had to face.
Image credits: @mr.notnew
Commenters' opinions regarding this situation were divided
As for the commenters on the video, their opinions were divided. There were, of course, those who supported the Original Poster, outraged by the decision of the school administration. Indeed, if the boy had been prescribed any other medicines, it could have ended badly for his health. And, of course, the responsibility for the children, even if they're almost adult, is borne, first of all, by their parents.
On the other hand, many people in the comments acknowledged that such a decision at the state level does make sense. For example, such treatment helped the niece of one of the commenters, whose parents refused to believe that she was suffering from a depressive disorder. Of course, one can understand the OP's concern, but this rule has really helped a lot of kids.
As always, we highly welcome your comments on this situation, so feel free to write what you think. Or maybe, who knows, you have an equally interesting story?