Dad Finds Out His Son’s School Was Giving Him Antidepressants For Months Without Ever Telling Him
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
Image credits: SOMANEDU
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
@mr.notnew #Washington #school #roevwade ♬ original sound – Eli Holt
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?
Mental health treatment must be available to everyone. I had two friends in high school who wanted and needed help, but could not talk to their parents about it. They both self-harmed, eventually one ended up in the hospital, barely surviving a suicide attempt, and other a few years later nearly died from complications with bulemia. This was all because their parents would have been informed of meds. If your child is in so much pain they are trying medication, don't add to their stress by trying to get involved. They will involve you when they are able to. But if seeking help means parents will be informed, Teena won't seek it. Doctor patient confidentiality exists so treatment can be as easily accessed as possible. If you were really supportive of your child, you woukdnt be freaking out about this, you would be grateful professionals were available. The alternative is often risk seeking or harmful behaviour. Be glad your child was responsible enough to get support.
I was in HS in the 90s/2000s, a lot of us campaigned to get the right to care that your child is enjoying because it's hard to be the entire support system when you are a teen yourself. I stayed up a lot of nights, talking my friends down from suicide. It shouldnt have been in me, these laws mean it wouldn't have to be.
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Yeah, agreed. Otherwise why would the kid not have brought it up for months? There's got to be a reason they didn't say anything, and the "I thought they told you" is a cover-up the kiddo used to not get in trouble.
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Here’s a very HUGE RED FLAG: “…he’s not depressed.” - depression doesn’t always present itself outwardly. Either the father had him evaluated or not. Seems not. Or maybe the father doesn’t believe in the meds or the diagnosis. Regardless, an actual psychiatrist and the 15yo think he is indeed depressed. So why doesn’t the father? Why did the son pick up the meds and, assumingely, take them for so long without telling the father? Kids have medical autonomy from their parents at 12/13. This 15yo sought out help, got help, then hid the treatment from his dad. Could you imagine how horrible if he didn’t have this access?
And now the poor kid is probably going without meds for the summer and did it in hopes his dad wouldn't find out. Sounds like hell and all the strength to him
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Mental health treatment must be available to everyone. I had two friends in high school who wanted and needed help, but could not talk to their parents about it. They both self-harmed, eventually one ended up in the hospital, barely surviving a suicide attempt, and other a few years later nearly died from complications with bulemia. This was all because their parents would have been informed of meds. If your child is in so much pain they are trying medication, don't add to their stress by trying to get involved. They will involve you when they are able to. But if seeking help means parents will be informed, Teena won't seek it. Doctor patient confidentiality exists so treatment can be as easily accessed as possible. If you were really supportive of your child, you woukdnt be freaking out about this, you would be grateful professionals were available. The alternative is often risk seeking or harmful behaviour. Be glad your child was responsible enough to get support.
I was in HS in the 90s/2000s, a lot of us campaigned to get the right to care that your child is enjoying because it's hard to be the entire support system when you are a teen yourself. I stayed up a lot of nights, talking my friends down from suicide. It shouldnt have been in me, these laws mean it wouldn't have to be.
Load More Replies... Yeah, agreed. Otherwise why would the kid not have brought it up for months? There's got to be a reason they didn't say anything, and the "I thought they told you" is a cover-up the kiddo used to not get in trouble.
Load More Replies... Here’s a very HUGE RED FLAG: “…he’s not depressed.” - depression doesn’t always present itself outwardly. Either the father had him evaluated or not. Seems not. Or maybe the father doesn’t believe in the meds or the diagnosis. Regardless, an actual psychiatrist and the 15yo think he is indeed depressed. So why doesn’t the father? Why did the son pick up the meds and, assumingely, take them for so long without telling the father? Kids have medical autonomy from their parents at 12/13. This 15yo sought out help, got help, then hid the treatment from his dad. Could you imagine how horrible if he didn’t have this access?
And now the poor kid is probably going without meds for the summer and did it in hopes his dad wouldn't find out. Sounds like hell and all the strength to him
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