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In the wake of their daughter Jessica’s tragic death by suicide, Mary and David Glasser are advocating for a change in laws to allow doctors to disclose mental health struggles to parents. Jessica, who had dreams of becoming a vet, spoke to a GP in December 2024 at the age of 17, but her parents only learned the severity of her struggles after her passing. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in Northern Ireland emphasizes the importance of doctors working within legal and ethical frameworks while respecting patient confidentiality.
In Northern Ireland, individuals aged 16 and over are presumed to have the capacity to consent to medical treatment and disclosure of their medical information, according to the General Medical Council (GMC). For those under 16, consent is assessed case by case, and parental consent can be sought if deemed necessary. Jessica turned 18 in January, and her parents are haunted by the pain of not being able to help her through her darkest moments.
According to Jessica’s parents, she had struggled with mental health issues stemming from childhood bullying. The weight of these experiences carried into her teenage years, with Jessica keeping her burdens to herself out of concern for her parents. Her parents express deep sorrow over the loss of their bright star and lament the missed opportunities for her to fulfill her dreams. They are particularly dismayed by a missed appointment in January 2025 due to the mental health practitioner’s unplanned leave, which was never rescheduled.
While the practice Jessica attended declined to comment on the specifics of her case due to patient confidentiality, her parents are resolute in demanding accountability and change. They urge greater collaboration between parents, GPs, and mental health practitioners to provide comprehensive support to young people. In addition, they call for the full implementation of the Department of Health’s Mental Health Strategy in Northern Ireland, criticizing the lack of progress in this crucial area. Mrs. Glasser encourages parents to engage with their children and not to ignore any concerns, stressing the importance of open communication and support to prevent others from experiencing similar tragedies
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