Ruhi Kaneria | The Chronicle
If someone collapses and needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), we do not wait for a parent or guardian to approve lifesaving care. We act immediately because a life is at stake. However, a proposal in Ohio state legislation places a similar barrier between teenagers and mental health support.
Current Ohio law allows minors aged 14 and older to receive limited outpatient mental health care without parental consent. Specifically, students can receive up to six therapy sessions or 30 days of outpatient mental health care. After that point, a parent must consent for treatment to continue. Mental health professionals may also notify parents earlier if there is a significant risk of harm to the minor or to others.
Proposed House Bill 172 would remove this option, as it requires parent or guardian consent for any treatment. The bill was introduced and referred to the Health Committee in March of 2025. Although no votes have been recorded yet, the proposal raises an important question about the balance between parental involvement and access to care for teens.
From one perspective, the parents’ awareness of mental health decisions is really important. Families have the primary responsibility for their child’s well-being, and decisions regarding mental health treatment should involve parents. Mental health treatment works best when the whole family is involved in the process. For parents, the thought that their child might receive support without their knowledge can feel concerning.
At the same time, access to early support is critical. Early intervention can prevent a difficult situation from becoming a crisis. As a Hope Squad member, I immediately lean toward the belief that everyone deserves access to mental health help as soon as possible. Teens without a safe family environment would lose their only path to help. The six-session rule, I think, also strikes a balance between focusing on accessibility to healthcare while still encouraging parent involvement if treatment continues.
In Hope Squad, our training focuses on getting students help as soon as possible, so if that means that students are struggling during school, they can directly connect with a Hope Squad member by the end of the day.
Legislation like House Bill 172 highlights an ongoing debate about autonomy, responsibility, and access to healthcare. While some of us cannot vote, it is important to still play a part and voice our opinion. Regardless of your take on this bill, awareness of state legislation is so crucial because these decisions shape the support systems available in our schools and communities. When it comes to mental health, the question is not who should be involved, but rather whether help will be available when someone finally finds the courage to ask for it.
