Should I Worry About A Mental Health Diagnosis On My Teen's Pre-Employment Background Screening?

Fears concerning the stigma associated with having a mental health condition often stops people from seeking the help they need. Unfortunately, the media and other public sources often portray mental health treatment in a negative light. However, getting help for issues such as depression or addiction places your child in a better position for seeking gainful employment and having positive relationships. It is natural to worry about what a mental health diagnosis might mean for your child’s future employment options, and you can allay your fears by understanding the following information about why getting help enhances your child’s prospects for enjoying a rewarding career.

Recognize the Importance of Seeking Treatment

It is first important to understand that receiving a mental health diagnosis is not a sign of weakness or instability. The majority of people will experience some type of mental health condition in their lifetime since depression and anxiety are common in the population. Once your child has a diagnosis, they can begin treatment that puts them on a stable path toward employment. Teens who attend treatment programs for disorders such as bulimia, addiction and social anxiety are better able to navigate through the transition from attending school to starting a career. Addressing these issues early also allows your teen to focus solely on building their career once they reach adulthood.

Know Your Rights Regarding Confidentiality

Patient confidentiality is an important part of ensuring that people are protected from being stigmatized by their mental health condition. Minors are protected by laws that are similar to the ones that keep an adult’s information private, and your child’s treatment program is only allowed to disclose certain information about their condition. For example, they may need to report a diagnosis and treatment plan to your child’s insurance company. However, they will not release such information to the public without your consent. In some instances, a mental health diagnosis may be placed on a person’s record such as if they were committed to an institution by a legal authority. If you are unsure about the laws regarding patient confidentiality in your area, then talk to your child’s treatment program staff. In many instances, you may find that their diagnosis will not be found on a typical background check since they are limited to checking solid facts such as if a person has ever been convicted of a felony crime.

Learn about Potential Career Requirements

According to Laura Russell of IMI Data Search, most pre-employment screenings are less concerned about mental health issues because they are primarily conducted to check for a criminal background. For this reason, seeking help for your teen’s drug or behavioral issues can protect them from falling into trouble with the law and having something serious appear on their record. In some instances, a mental health background check may be conducted, but this is usually done for jobs that require a high level security clearance such as a career in the government or military. It is reassuring to know that even these types of careers typically view seeking counseling or therapy for a mental health diagnosis as a positive sign since it means that a person has sought help for their disorder. Depending upon your teen’s age and diagnosis, their mental health condition may not even be a factor in their eligibility for a position that does check for it on a pre-employment background screening since it will be in the past.

Encourage Honesty on Job Applications

When a person is concerned about being discriminated against for a position, it is sometimes tempting to lie. However, lying on a job application is typically grounds for immediate firing, and your teen may never get the position if their background check does reveal a mental health condition. For this reason, it is best to encourage your teenager to be honest on pre-employment screenings. It is also a good idea to find out which types of mental health conditions must be revealed since the majority of careers do not need to know about common issues such as anxiety. If your teen does embark upon a career that takes mental health issues into consideration, such as one where they must carry a firearm, then being honest opens the door for them to find out more about the requirements. Since some mental health issues such as having an internet addiction do not impact public safety, it is likely that seeking treatment will still not affect their ability to gain a career in public service.

Understand The Changing Views On Mental Health Treatment

When your child sits down for an interview that does require disclosing their mental health condition, it is likely that they will be sitting face-to-face with someone who understands. Since many adults deal with depression and addiction, it is more likely that other people will be understanding rather than judgmental. Changing laws are also now starting to recognize that people with mental health issues should have the same rights as those with physical health conditions. This means that your teen may be protected from discrimination in the workplace just as someone else who struggles with a disability. In some states, employers may not be able to ask questions about mental health unless it directly affects an applicant’s ability to do their job.

People often hesitate about seeking a mental health diagnosis because they worry about future repercussions, and your job as a parent is to make sure your child has everything they need to enjoy a bright future. Providing them with mental health treatment offers many benefits such as preventing a criminal record while giving them coping skills that allow them to manage their symptoms in the workplace. While you may feel anxious about having them labeled early in life with a mental health issue, you can alleviate that anxiety by talking to professionals who know the laws and how to minimize the impact upon a child’s future. In fact, seeking a mental health diagnosis is the only real way to get your child the help they need to be productive in the workplace.