Doctors told to tell teachers about students’ mental health

DOCTORS and psychologists will be encouraged to hand over details about student’s medical histories to teachers under a new plan to tackle depression issues among teenagers.

NSW Health is set to launch a new communication strategy that will promote “sharing information” on youngsters who are struggling with mental health issues.

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DOCTORS and psychologists will be encouraged to hand over details about student’s medical histories to teachers under a radical new plan to tackle depression among teenagers.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Department of Education is working with NSW Health to launch a new communication strategy that will promote “sharing information” on youngsters who are struggling with mental health issues.

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In some cases, doctors will hold “case conferences” on students with teachers, school counsellors and parents. Parents are also being urged to share details about their children’s mental health with schools so they can offer extra support.

NSW is facing its highest youth suicide rate in 10 years.

With NSW facing its highest youth suicide rate in 10 years, the plan has the backing of Mental Health Minister Tanya Davies who told The Daily Telegraph “enabling early recognition and early intervention” was key to helping at-risk young people.

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Under child protection laws, health information that “promotes the safety” of a young person can be shared without their consent. But the Department of Education has said “misunderstandings” about how the information would be used has led to a “breakdown” in communication. It has also raised concerns parents are not keeping schools informed about their children’s mental health issues.

NSW Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies says enabling early recognition and early intervention is vital to helping vulnerable young people.

A department spokesman said health professionals could advise schools when students were at risk of suicide or self-harm and offer suggestions about potential triggers.

Ms Davies said it was vital healthcare teams worked with school staff.

“Enabling early recognition and early intervention is key to the best possible outcome for a young person who may be in distress,” she said. “The sharing of information ­between NSW Health and the Education Department ensures young people are kept safe and well.”

Beyondblue adviser Dr Stephen Carbone says ideally information about a young person suffering mental health issues would be shared only with the student’s permission.

Beyondblue clinical adviser Dr Stephen Carbone said health professionals faced a “balancing act” of ­patient confidentiality and protecting young people. He said ideally information should be shared with the student’s permission or it could ­create trust issues.

Dr Carbone said health professionals and schools working together was becoming “more important”. “There isn’t a school in NSW that doesn’t have students with mental illnesses ... schools are hungry for information and support,” he said.

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