Teenager Refusing Mental Health Treatment: What Can You Do?

Teenagers Refusing Mental Health Treatment

The ever-growing need for mental health professionals reflects the more open-minded society when it comes to discussing poor mental health. The demand is increasing rapidly and queues for therapists and other mental health professionals are often long, but it does not mean everyone always wants psychiatric help willingly.

As parents, we do our best to support our children in need and promote their mental health. But there are cases where teenagers are refusing mental health treatment. In this article, we discuss why that might happen and what can be done in such a situation. 

Can a Teenager Refuse Mental Health Treatment?

As a rule of thumb, adolescent can refuse mental health treatment if they are not fulfilling the criteria for psychiatric hospitalization against their will. The most important piece of advice here is to know your local laws regarding mental health services. Your family physician or mental health care professional should be able to advise on your particular situation.

Refusing Voluntary Treatment

What can you do if a teenager refusing mental health treatment does not turn up to their voluntary appointment? In short, not much. Such treatment is, as the name implies, completely voluntary. 

A parent or legal guardian can in some aspects of life make decisions against their child's will, but nowadays, many countries have healthcare laws to protect minors in situations where it concerns their health. 

As for mental health, most states in the US enable teen minors aged 13-17 to make their own medical decisions regarding voluntary psychiatric treatment (not including sex reassignment surgery). However, there are no federal guidelines dictating teenagers' rights when it comes to medical care.

Any mental health care professional would quickly understand if a patient is not interested in receiving help. The old adage "You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped" holds true. 

That being said, both adults and teenagers will sometimes initially claim that they do not want help, but still show up to a booked session with a mental healthcare worker. Then, once rapport has been established, they open up to the idea of getting treatment.

Refusing Involuntary Treatment

Again, this varies a lot by local laws. In the US, the 72-hour rule is usually applied. This means a psychiatrist can hospitalize an individual for up to 3 days against their will without a formal court hearing, but only when all other less restrictive treatment options are deemed unsuitable. 

In practice, this is only necessary in extreme cases, usually when the person is considered dangerous to themselves or others. The reasons can include, but are not limited to: suicidality, manic episodes, and acute psychosis (an episode where the patient's perception of reality is distorted). 

This means a teenager can not refuse mental health treatment if a psychiatrist deems an involuntary hold necessary.

Please keep in mind that involuntary treatment is not a punishment and is performed with the individual's best interest in mind. It is only used as a last resort to ensure the safety of themselves and others around them.

Talk in a calm setting and try to understand why your teenager is refusing treatment.

What To Do as a Parent if Your Teenager is Refusing Therapy or Psychiatric Treatment

As a parent, you need to understand why your teenager is refusing treatment. There can be plenty of different reasons for this - fear of a diagnosis and being seen as "different", uncertainty of not knowing what to expect from the treatment, denial of the situation, apathy, and more.

Thus, it's important to sit down and have a calm discussion with your child to understand his or her thoughts and emotions regarding seeking help.

In rare cases, the teen will express unwillingness to get psychiatric help initially, but later admit its usefulness once a good relationship has been established with a suitable therapist or other mental health care professional. However, this is not always the case.

Consider immediately contacting your local authorities and emergency services for help if your teenager is refusing treatment while experiencing a severe mental health crisis. Especially if they are presenting a danger to themselves or others around them.

Therapy Not Helping Depressed Teen

Professional therapy does not always have the expected effect on a teenager with depression, especially if they're suffering from moderate or severe depression. This might also lead to the teenager refusing therapy. In such cases, pharmacological treatment might be necessary, depending on the diagnosis and nature of the psychiatric problem.

For example, if your child is suffering from depression, then you can start by getting yourself familiar with the effects and potential side effects of antidepressants and thereafter consult with your child and adolescent psychiatrist about the topic.

Keeping in mind the above information, it's important to remember that it might not be legally possible to force your teenager to take these drugs, nor is it likely practically possible and we recommend heavily against it as it could cause great damage to the trust between the minor and the legal guardian.

Author: J. Martin, M.D. 
Last updated: May 31, 2024

Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as a physician, before starting any new treatment or making changes to your existing treatment plan. Individual responses to treatment may vary, and a healthcare professional can provide personalized guidance based on your specific needs and circumstances. If you are experiencing severe or persistent symptoms of the disease or mental illness, seek immediate medical attention.