Question : If I tell my therapist that I am thinking of suicide, will they tell my parents? टीनटॉकर
Dear Teentalker,
Thank you for sharing your concern with us. I completely understand that you are afraid of telling your therapist about your deepest thoughts due to the fear that they might tell an adult in your family. Therapy is a confidential space where your information is not normally shared with any outsider.
While it’s completely valid to have this fear, it should not stop you from telling your therapist how you feel, especially when it comes to having thoughts of self-harm. I can only imagine how much pain you might be experiencing to have a thought to end your life. Your therapist is there to help you through this pain and assist you in finding an alternative. Share this with your therapist and let them also know that you are afraid that they might tell someone.
There are very few circumstances when confidentiality needs to be bent. If you or anobody is actively suicidal or talks of harming someone else, if you report a child, person with disability or a senior citizen to be in danger, the therapist is bound to report this information to higher authorities to protect you and the concerned person.
However, the therapist would likely keep you informed during this process and take your consent before talking to anybody. Don’t hold back from your therapist and be as open and honest with them. They’ve got your back!
Hope this helps. If you wish to discuss your query further, please feel free to chat with us from Monday through Saturday between 11am and 6pm or leave us an offline message.
Regards,
Expert Teentalk Iindia