Monday, July 20, 2009

Is it considered child abuse to refuse to let your child get help for mental health issues







Is it considered child abuse to refuse to let your child get help for mental health issues?
for whatever reason, like maybe the parents dont believe in it, despite the fact the Child is suffering a very troubling disorder. I think many people are still old school thinking of Psychology as junk science, and one needs to just snap out of it.
Parenting - 12 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You do realize (or maybe you are illiterate as you come across) that there is science and quantitative support for the almost all of the psychological disorders that are diagnosed correct? It is not a "junk science" and those that think it is are morons and probably never even took a collegiate level course in science, especially those in BioChemistry related fields. I don't know if it is child abuse but it should be. From what I see, the parents have mental illness as well so maybe you can use that as a defense?
2 :
i believe it is ILLEGAL
3 :
It is legally child abuse to withhold any kind of medical care from a child, especially one in dire need of it. I know that for a fact.
4 :
not if they got blood on your shovel
5 :
im pretty sure its illegal but for fun go look at howdy cowboy's shovel question after reading his comment
6 :
If the child's mental health issues are not being treated properly and he/she is not in the right environment to learn and develop the way they need to, The government can come and take away your child. By law you have to give your child the proper medical care and if they arent getting it and are suffering from it, then they can be taken away. Granted it depend on what condition and the severity of the condition what matters are taken, but I suggest you get them the help they need. With proper treatment and help, many children grow up to be independent and able to work and live normal lives(granted it depends on the condition) but it just cruel to not give your child what it needs to develop and learn to their fullest capabilities. And if you think this is a bunch of crap, you're horribly horribly wrong. There is years of science to back up these conditions and develop treatments which can help your child live its life.
7 :
No. I dont think that that is child abuse.
8 :
As long as the disorder is not ADHD or ADD, you can be done for necgelt.
9 :
it might not be illegal but it is definitely a form of child abuse/neglect.
10 :
I think it would depend on two things. Firstly what specific mental issues are we talking about? A few of them don't require medication or treatment simply but day to day management. Like it's been said most mental disorders are scientifically proven and medically quantifiable, but a few are not. So if a parent believes their child was over-diagnosed, I think in some cases they can defend their case. For example there's a huge push at the moment to diagnose every child who seems too lively with something. And I'm not saying I don't believe some of them do have something, but some of them have nothing but high energy levels and medicating them just seems wrong. Finally the second thing is whether they refuse all help or if they have their own idea of what should be done. For example some parents with a kid that has ADD may not want the kid to be medicated and left in a sedated state all the time. They may decide instead to just get him more exercise and keep him on a healthy diet with less sugar or whatever. Or maybe get him some relaxation therapy. Or whatever they want to do. Since the disorder is not life threatening and they are actually doing something, I doubt it would be considered abuse. Now if a teenager has severe schyzophrenia for example and absolutely needs to be medicated or he becomes violent, uncontrollable and/or suicidal, then yes I believe the parents are under obligation to follow the doctor's advice. In other words, it's pretty much the same for a kid with a physical illness. A kid with hay fever whose parents decide to get him some new age therapy will not be taken away. Parents who decide a child who has a cold should stay in bed but doesn't need medication are not abusers. Parents who refuse life-saving transplant or blood transfusion or life-saving medical treatment to a child who has cancer, or is losing all of his blood after a car accident or whatever are definitely criminally neglectful of that child (yes even if it's a matter of religious belief). PS: hunter d, actually I am not sure if they do that in the US, but in France, when religious beliefs conflict with a child's welfare, yes they take the child away. It happened before that Jeovah's Witnesses refused life-saving blood transfusions or organ transplants for their children. CPS stepped in and had the transfusions and transplants court-ordered. Strangely I never heard of any Jeovah's Witnesses taking France to the human rights court afterwards for not allowing them freedom of religion. Maybe because in the end they're just glad their kids are alive?
11 :
People refuse medical treatment on the basis of their Religious beliefs all the time! Should Jehovah's Witnesses be locked up because they refuse to receive blood transfusions? Should parents be taken in when they refuse to get their children vaccinated? Should Amish parents be locked up when they refuse to allow their children to be treated in a hospital? When are other people going to "butt out" of people's parenting & focus on their own? Parents have the rights to make any decisions they deem fit for their own children! And if that includes not seeking help for a "very troubling disorder" then that is their choice! U are not there 24/7 & U do not know what is REALLY being done for this child! Maybe his/her pediatrician has not recommended that they see a psychologist. Maybe they are taking medication that is not working. Maybe it goes against their parents religious beliefs. U simply don't know!
12 :
Yes it is, the child needs the help and the parents are refusing to get the child help he/she needs.



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Posted by Child Health at 6:20 AM