PE01627: Consent for mental health treatment for people under 18 years of age

Health

Petitioner: Annette McKenzie

Status:
Closed

Date Lodged: 21 December 2016

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to provide for consultation with and consent from a parent or guardian before prescribing medication to treat mental ill health if the patient is under 18 years of age.

Petition History:

The Committee launched its inquiry into mental health support for young people in Scotland, on Wednesday, 7 November 2018.

Summary:

19 January 2017: The Committee took evidence from Annette McKenzie. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, Scottish Association for Mental Health, Scottish Youth Parliament, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, Mental Health Foundation, the General Medical Council, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Link to Official Report 19 January 2017 

20 April 2017: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and the Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Link to the Link to the Official Report 20 April 2017

26 October 2017: The Committee agreed to invite young people's mental health charities and the Minister for Mental Health to provide evidence at future meetings. Link to the Official Report 26 October 2017

7 December 2017: The Committee took evidence from Penumbra, Scottish Association for Mental Health and Children in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the General Medical Council and the Royal College of General Practitioners. The Committee also noted that the Minister for Mental Health will give evidence at a future meeting. Link to the Official Report 7 December 2017

18 January 2018: The Committee agreed to reflect on the evidence heard at a future meeting and to invite the petitioner to provide a further written submission. Link to the Official Report 18 January 2018

29 March 2018: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Mental Health, Young Scot and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The Committee also agreed to reflect on the evidence received in private at a future meeting. Link to Official Report 29 March 2018

10 May 2018: The Committee considered evidence received to date on PE1627 by Annette McKenzie on Consent for mental health treatment for people under 18 years of age. Link to Official report 10 May 2018

07 June 2018: The Committee agreed to hold an inquiry on how young people can access mental health services and treatments and to consider a scoping paper in private at a future meeting. Link to Official Report 07 June 2018

25 October 2018: The Committee agreed its approach to the inquiry on how young people access mental health services and treatments in Scotland. Link to Official Report 25 October 2018

7 November 2018: The Committee launched its inquiry into mental health support for young people in Scotland.

Report: Following the gathering of written evidence and the undertaking of an extensive external engagement programme, the Committee agreed a report at its meeting on 25 June 2020. Minutes of meeting 25 June 2020. The report was published on 24 July 2020.

The Minister for Mental Health wrote to the Committee (291KB pdf) on 19 August 2020, responding to the report, on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The petitioner responded to the Minister’s letter on 30 September 2020 (86KB pdf).

13 January 2021: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that following consideration of the petition, the Committee noted strong support amongst key stakeholders that young people under the age of 18 should be able to give consent to treatment for themselves; and the Committee has undertaken an inquiry and published a report on mental health support for children and young people in Scotland. Link to Official Report of Meeting 13 January 2021

Written submissions:

I have set up this petition to try and change the rules around doctors being allowed to prescribe medication for mental health issues to under 18s without their parent or guardian’s consent.  Mental health issues require a particular kind of care and support and my daughter’s case highlights the need for parental involvement at the first instance.

No one should be aloud to be given and type of drug or medication especially under the age of 18 unless with a adult!

Amy Ellis

4:19 on 19 Dec 2016

I agree that no child should be giving prescription drugs, X

Jean

21:55 on 17 Dec 2016

Totally agree with this why should doctors be allowed to give drugs to young adults at 16 when the law doesn't recognize them being adult till the age of 18

Louise dickson

17:01 on 17 Dec 2016

How can we help our children if we do not know what is going on? I strongly support this petition.

Alice Conway

14:02 on 17 Dec 2016

Don't let britneys death be for nothing

Robert Boyce

6:38 on 17 Dec 2016

Please look into these issues of such he importance to parents, whereby Drs are not sharing this kind of information, so that parents can try do something to prevent these things happening and give them the chance to communicate with there chidren over any issue they may not be handling well, it may prevent further suicides in young people.

Connie Bryant

23:31 on 15 Dec 2016

So sad such a young life wasted....heart goes out to parents... Change this so no family have to go through what this family have such tragic circumstances R.I.P x

Linda Allan

18:57 on 15 Dec 2016

Signed X mental health problems are on the increase and we need better ways of dealing with it instead of drugs .

Tracy mcburnie

15:39 on 15 Dec 2016

I have a grandson 17 years and a 16 year old granddaughter, and I would be horrrified if they were prescribed medication without their parents knowledge

Margaret sutherland

0:03 on 15 Dec 2016

Support you all 100%.Parents should be notified.16 you are still young.

Heather reilly

16:11 on 14 Dec 2016

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Number of signatures collected

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