TELL ME HOW 2 SLAY

Q. I REALLY NEED A THERAPIST BUT MY FAMILY WON’T LET ME. HOW CAN I GET MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WITHOUT MY PARENT’S CONSENT?

- MIDLIFE CRISIS

Hey midlife crisis,

In New York, minors under the age of 18 and over 12, can receive certain kinds of medical treatment without their parents’ consent, and simply need their own consent. In New York, minors can consent to certain reproductive health care, post-sexual assault care, testing for STIs, and various emergency healthcare needs. However, in order for a minor to receive outpatient mental health treatment without parental consent, one of the following conditions needs to be met: there is no parent or guardian, including the parent would be detrimental to the therapy (ex: situations involving abuse), or if a physician deems the therapy medically necessary. Unfortunately there is no way to get a therapist without parental consent. However, there are many online support groups that you can attend if you need to talk.

Allendale Columbia is in the process of hiring a school counselor and will have one in the coming months. The school counselor is the best way to receive mental health treatment without the consent of a parent or guardian.

Additionally 988 is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for those in immediate need of some to talk to.

Healing vibes, Slay

Q. HOW DO I ASK SOMEONE TO PROM? -PERPLEXED ABOUT PROM

Dear perplexed about prom, Think about what the person you’re asking to prom would like. Are they introverted or extroverted? If they’re an introvert you might

Q. MY FAMILY PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON ME TO GET GOOD GRADES. MY GRADES THIS SEMESTER ARE NOT WHAT THEY WERE IN THE FALL. HOW DO I TALK TO MY PARENTS ABOUT THEM?

-GOODY GRADES

Hey goody grades, Sit your parents down at a time when they both have time to talk for a little while (ex: after dinner when you’re settling down for the evening). Talk with them honestly about your grades and don’t lie. Help them understand why your grades might have dropped - you committed to a sport this semester, or you joined a new club that demands more time. Try not to make excuses. Rather, simply explain what’s been going on in your life that has been influencing your grades. Overall, just speak honestly to your parents, you’re their child and at the end of the day they love you no matter what your GPA is.

want to go with a more emotional, private, and personal proposal. If they’re an extrovert they might prefer a more public and showy proposal. No matter what kind of proposal you’re doing it is best to ask the question in a straightforward manner and not beat around the bush. Be confident but be ready to be rejected as it is a real possibility.

Yours, Slay

Love, Slay