How to Get Help With Mental Health for a Non-Compliant Teen

Teenagers and non-compliance seem to be synonymous for many parents. However, when your teenager is suffering from mental health issues, non-compliance can be detrimental and even life-threatening. Teenagers who are suicidal or talk about hurting themselves are crying out for help and should not be ignored. Parents may feel helpless when their child rejects attempts to talk or remedy the situation. However, there are steps you can take to ensure your teenager receives the help she needs before it is too late.

Instructions

• 1

  Sit down with your teenager and express your concern. Tell your child what you are seeing as far as troubling behaviors or statements. Some signs to look for indicating your teenager may be in need of mental health intervention are irritable moods, withdrawing from friends or favorite activities, psychosomatic complaints, unexplained crying episodes or suicidal thoughts or attempts.

• 2

  Talk with your teenager's teachers or other important people in her life. Express your concern and see if they have noticed similar things. You may want to stage an intervention with your teenager and all the concerned parties in her life to make a greater impact on her. Having multiple family members, teachers or concerned friends present can help your teenager recognize the seriousness of the situation.

• 3

  Offer to attend counseling sessions with her, if necessary. Drive her to and from therapy (if she agrees to attend) to be sure she attends each appointment. Although what is discussed in your teenager's therapy sessions is confidential, she can sign a release form allowing you to discuss her treatment with her psychiatrist or counselor.

• 4

  A non-compliant teenager who is in need of mental health services can be involuntarily committed to a hospital or psychiatric facility. This is called a 302 commitment. In order to be involuntarily committed, your teenager must be suicidal, have self-injured or mutilated herself or otherwise poses a threat to herself due to her mental state within the last 30 days. An involuntary commitment usually lasts 72 hours for observation purposes.

• 5

  Call the police, hospital or local mental health agency to express your concern about your teenager's mental health. A 302 petition will be filled out by a police officer, mental health worker or physician detailing your concerns. A hearing will be held to determine if your teenager should be involuntarily committed. If your child is in immediate danger, she may be taken to an emergency room for evaluation and placed under care without a hearing procedure.

• 6

  Your teenager may be committed to a psychiatric facility for longer than 72 hours if she is deemed a threat to herself of others. A 303 petition will be filed asking for extended emergency involuntary treatment to keep her safe and continue her treatment regimen. Treatment can be extended for up to 20 days.

• 7

  Continue to support your teenager throughout her mental health treatment. Attend any counseling appointments as necessary, correspond and communicate with her mental health providers and find out what you can do to assist in your teenager's recovery.