Laws & Policies / Question
Published: February 15, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
does a school psychologist legally have to tell my parents if he knows that i use drugs? i decided im going to quit and im thinking about talking to the councelor at my school but i dont want my parents to find out.
Signed: What Does A School Psychologist Legally Have To Tell My Parents?
Dear What Does A School Psychologist Legally Have To Tell My Parents?,
The general rule of thumb with most mandated reports (social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc.) is that they are legally required to report when someone is of danger to themselves or others. Your school psychologist may very well talk to your parents if he knows you are doing drugs since you could be in danger of hurting yourself if you were to overdose (whether accidental or intentional) or in danger of hurting yourself or others if you were driving under the influence.
FX suggests that you meet with the school psychologist and start off by asking him under what circumstances would he be required to report information to a parent and under what circumstances would he be willing to maintain confidentiality. FX hopes that either way you will end up talking to the school psychologist about your drug use. FX commends you for wanting to stop you drug use, but understands that quitting is best done with the help and support of the adults around you – and often times with the guidance of trained professionals.
If you are reluctant to talk to him because he may report your drug use to your parents, then FX strongly urges you to talk to him about your relationship with your parents and what the problems are between the three of you that you would not want them to know about your drug use. The fact is that having the love and support of family can be extremely valuable when going through such a difficult time such as trying to stop drug use. FX is concerned that you are feeling so reluctant to have your parents involved and hopes that the school psychologist could be helpful to you and your parents to establish the kind of relationships that will enable you to feel comfortable about opening up to them.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens often abuse prescription drugs because of the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.
