Indeed, you guys brought up some good points. I'm assuming that you're both young, but I'm not sure (???)
Anyway, you both missed making one VERY important point, which doesn't necessarily directly support or challenge either of your theories (neither is 100% 'right' or 'wrong' IMO, though there are some things you both just don't have enough information about, because of your age, profession (if you're at that stage) or both:
Chrissy is not a professional, nor a 'mandated reporter' (if you don't know what that is google it, as I'm so sleepy right now :) In other words, not only is she just a teenager, but furthermore, even if she were an adult - say the school secretary, she would have no legal obligation to tell anyone, by the virtue of her profession - or, more precisely, lack thereof; e.g., if Matt had told a school counselor, a doctor, nurse, teacher, etc., because they're mandated reporters. Now, you could make the case that Chrissy, and to a greater degree, a school secretary/parent might have an ethical obligation to tell someone, IF, they truly believed that Matt was going to shoot up the school.
But it was obvious to me that Chrissy thought that he was kidding, and again, esp mindfreakmandy, you cannot hold her to any kind of legal or professional obligation (e.g., if Matt had told his guidance counselor, the guidance counselor is a mandated reporter, and would have to use his/her professional judgment as to whether it is a serious threat). And that's something that's extremely difficult for even the best, say, psychiatrist to actually predict - as in threats vs. action. Though psychiatrists, because they have the most training (and perhaps PhD level psychologists) are usually held to an even higher standard, than say, a school counselor - well, on certain issues.
BTW, I'm a clinical social worker (I do adult and adolescent psychotherapy), so I do know a little bit about this stuff :)
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BlueMoon666
10 years ago
It's interesting that you brought that up. I am young and I actually took a Social Service Worker program in College.
It Matt told his counselor that he feels like hurting himself or someone else, that counselor has a DUTY TO REPORT but yes, sometimes they may not if they feel that Matt will not act on it. It depends on how the client phrases their threats and a whole bunch of other things.
However, the counselor should not just ignore it. They need to give the client resources and help them have a plan of what they will do when they start having these thoughts.
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dogluver1970
10 years ago
It's interesting that you brought that up. I am young and I actually took a Social Service Worker program in College.
That's great, Mandy!! (I'm thinking that your name, is, indeed, Mandy :) Perhaps it will be something that you'd like to pursue professionally at some point - we could always use more SMART and COMPASSIONATE people in our field and you seem to be both. And if you continue your studies in psychology or social work, you'll see some of the (very interesting/insightful) points you made previously are opinion-based, but there are certain things that DO have black/white answers - even though much about human behavior is in the 'gray area' that you learn from theory classes and experience.
It Matt told his counselor that he feels like hurting himself or someone else, that counselor has a DUTY TO REPORT but yes, sometimes they may not if they feel that Matt will not act on it. It depends on how the client phrases their threats and a whole bunch of other things.
Exactly - that's what a mandated reporter is obligated to do under the law. And I'm sure you know about doctor/patient confidentiality laws (HIPPA). This also applies to other type of healthcare providers - or other types of professional, like lawyers (though if differs somewhat in what they're required to reveal). However, as you also seem to be well aware of, we're REQUIRED to break that confidentiality, if we think a patient is a threat to himself or to others - and they sign something before being treatment that spells all of that out. (and quite often, they're relieved that we have to tell!! Not that I've had that I've had too many situations whereby I became that 'reporter'). And like what you were saying about if Matt went to his counselor, I used to teach HS Health Ed and was also a guidance counselor for a few years at the middle school level, and you're absolutely right: I could get into trouble if I DID NOT report something like that, or if I suspected a student was being abused or neglected at home.
Now, you might not like this part, but here's the thing: you do get to know certain kids and sometimes they DO joke around (and in this day and age, it definitely pissed me off!!!). So while you're required to report such things as threats, you also have to make educated judgment calls; in other words, if I were to call the proper authorities for every single crazy thing a student would say, I'd seriously be on the phone all day, and not able to do 99% of my actual job!! While NOBODY can predict who will act and who won't 100% of the time, with experience, you learn how to determine what is truly an imminent threat and what is not. And IF something were to happen on 'my watch,' I'd be judged by the 'reasonable person standard,' which is a legal concept. Whomever was determining whether I acted negligently or not, would take into consideration what the 'standard of care' would be among other individuals with my education and training - and if I met it.
Wow - I didn't mean to write such a long post!! Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to pursue in college and otherwise :)
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BlueMoon666
10 years ago
Thank you! I won't pursuing a career in this field, though. And I wonder what the deleted post said.
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