What are my rights, as a minor and a self-injurer?

Question

I self-injure, and my parents don't know i do it. I only came out this year, to my best friend in June and progressively to more and more people, so now, there's about 15 people who know. I'm thinking about trying to talk to my parents, but first, I want to know what rights, if any, I have. I'm afraid they'll want to put me in an institution or some sort of mental hospital, so I want to know what I have control over in the situation. (just fyi -- it's not life-threatening and I'm not suicidal. :) thankfully.)

Answer 1

I was also a self injurer when i was young. i would cut myself after a family argument, or when i got too overwhelmed with pain.
We do this for some control over our lives, and our emotions.

the best thing to do, is to learn some new coping skills. Exercise, write in journal, find counselor, and maybe get family counseling. You are not crazy, just hurting.

Remember that some scars will be there for life, and this can help you stop, so you don't suffer the consequences of having to see the scars for life. whenever you want to cut, find something else to do. Get support from friends, family and find a good counselor who wont be quick to diagnose you, but understands why, people do this, and how you can be helped.

I stopped along time ago, but now have alot of scars that i get sick of explaining. i exercise, talk, write, learn something new.

You can stop, but don't be afraid to reach out for help. Maybe you can call a teen hot line, for some more advice on your rights, and other resources.

Answer 2

After Looking over others answeres to this question, Well I woke up.I hope what I first wrote doesnot show. If it does, Let it B know, I was asleep.And with my first answer, I thought U were talking about something else.Thank goodness 4 "edit my question," now, let me think. It's 19 mins. since U question hit the web, THINKING<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>I Dont"t no Where U are. Doesn't matter. I'm In joplin. It's just starting To rain a little. O yea, It's now 9:20 central time. Doesen't matter. We have had unseasonably great weather here this weekend. I don't no but I would guess it's around 65 outside now. Just came back in. The rain was cold on my arms. Well, cool, refershing. While I was out side I looked Up 2 the sky, saw stars, and thought 2 myself, boy isn't this great. Ok. the truth is there wasnt stares tomite where I'm at. It is a beatuifull nite tho. Baby girl, I'm 52, dosen't make me anything but 52. There was a day when I abused my self, simeler 2 what U are talking about. I first used drugs & alcohol to ease the pain. Yes, I started when I was about your age. Today don't no for sure why I did it. I do no life isn't fair & people simply don't ack right. Baby girl, It's also true that will B the same when U & I & your grandchildren are all dead and gone. What we do have is today. Yesterday is histroy. Tomarrow is a mistry. Just think about now. U made the first step tonight asking 4 help & understanding. Didn't hurt did it? Evan felt good. Huh? Ok now if it was me and I realize that U aren't wanting 2 hurt your self more, and U know U aready have done that, I realize that u now want relife of some sort. If U can't talk to your parents, then why not go 2 school tomarrow and simply ask 2 speak to your guidance coniclere. I'm sure she will B willing 2 talk about anything that U bring Up at the time. And Lett's face it girl. U and I both no there is something wrong that we don't like.Lett's do something about it today. In the morning. U will have those little grandbabys someday, and U will smile till your jays hurt. honey, I chose 2 hurt I guess for 40 years. U don't have 2 do that.U aready told U friends. If U don't want to talk with someone @ school, Your Counclear, then ask 1 of your girlfriends to tell her parents. yes, I said have her to tell her parents about your problem.... OK/ It will B ok. I promise. if that dosent worh contack me. we will think or something, "[e-mail]"

Answer 3

Is the Information Given to a Mental Health Therapist by a Child or Adolescent Kept Confidential?

Children and adolescents (17 and younger) are considered minors in the eyes of the law. This means that their parents are responsible for them. Parents must give permission for their children to have mental health treatment and also have the legal right to information about their children’s treatment.

Although parents have a right to all information about their child’s or adolescent’s mental health treatment, it is usual for parents to agree that some or most information given to the therapist by the child or adolescent will be kept private unless the young person agrees that it be shared. This is often necessary to make a young person feel comfortable telling the therapist what is bothering him or her.

The exceptions which must always be made are that parents will always be told if safety is involved. When a therapist is told by a child or adolescent that he or she intends to inflict self harm or harm another person, the therapist must share the information with parents.

Answer 4

They won't put you in a mental hospital or institution, those are for people that have severe mental disorders.

Minor have no rights, that's just how it is. You shouldn't be concerned about that you should be concerned about what you are doing to yourself. You must tell them so they can take you to a counselor and discuss this. Just because you are not suicidal doesn't mean it isn't something that should go unchecked.

Just tell your parents so you can get counseling help and will be much better. Why continue to be in pain?

Answer 5

Oh Geeez. You make me feel bad for you! Your Parents aren't going to put you away sweetheart. If you didn't want help with your problem you wouldn't have told all the friends you've told or put it on Answers --- now would you? From what you say you been hurting yourself for around 5 months?

I'm sorry, but after re-reading your question I have to wonder if you're not asking for attention.....are you?

Young folks who self-injure ARE in danger of cutting themselves to a point that when they do it nobody is aware and the poor "KID" **dies** from what they perceive as lack of attention. Do you believe your friends will mourn you if you do something silly. NO...They will have something to talk about.....and it wont be about you. It will be about that silly little girl who hurt herself

Please talk to your Parents......Please!

Good Luck Sweetheart!! Talk to your folks..

PS: As a minor...forget rights! Unless you have an Att.

Answer 6

Marking your body up by being a cutter is a psychological disorder that CAN BE helped but only if you alert your parents. Why go through life with the pain and misery of hurting yourself if there is treatment? It doesn't mean you will be in an institution, it may mean you should see a therapist and sometimes even medication can help you, as well. Nothing to fear, nothing to fret by seeing a therapist...fact is, you will feel better and one can help you understand why you do what you do and help you with your self esteem. Please tell your parents. IF you were my daughter, I would be crushed...as your mom....to not know that my daughter were hurting herself in any way. Please tell. Take care.

Answer 7

A lot depends on why your are self mutilating. When my daughter started cutting herself, I was so upset and I couldnt sleep at nite. Its terrible to see the child your birthed into the world do such a henious act. My daughter was doing it to the point I had to institutionalize her for about a month.
I guess the whole point is that you should tell your parents and let them take responsibility for what you are doing because that is what is going to happen.

Answer 8

Well to be frank with you, your parents have rights over you until age 18 or in some states 17. Instead of hurting yourself, try getting your mind on other things rather than that

Answer 9

you may possibly make buddies and get sturdy help and smart information at cyber internet boards that are set up fantastically for self-injurers. do purely a yahoo seek for for Self-harm boards.

Answer 10

If they see signs of instability or possible psycosis, I don't think you have any rights. They don't think you are responsible enough to make decisions for yourself. They completly take over your everyday life. I don't know if that's legal or not, but they find a way. Just stop and make it easier for everyone. Find a better way to deal with things.