Grieving parents want better access to mental health records

Doctors should legally be able to tell parents if their child is struggling with their mental health, the parents of a teenager who took her own life have said.

Jessica Glasser died in May. Her parents Mary and David feel they could have helped her more if they had known "what she told the GP behind closed doors".

Jessica was 17 years old when she first spoke to a GP in December 2024.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in Northern Ireland has said all doctors must work within legal and ethical frameworks and respect patient confidentiality.

"Something needs to change regarding the age of disclosure," Mrs Glasser told BBC News NI.

In Northern Ireland, individuals aged 16 and over are presumed to have the capacity to consent to medical treatment and the disclosure of their medical information, according to the General Medical Council (GMC).

For those under 16, capacity to consent to disclosure is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and if lacking, parental consent can be sought.

Jessica, who wanted to be a vet, turned 18 in January.

Her parents said they only found out about the severity of her mental health struggles from her GP after her death.

"We are in pain every single day," Mrs Glasser said.

"She was our bright beautiful star."

"Not enough is being done to help young people here. There should be more engagement with parents, the GP and mental health practitioners, even when your child is 18 or over."

The RCGP said the doctor-patient relationship depended on confidentiality.

"Doctors can only share information with family members when a patient, who has capacity, has given their consent," it added.

Jessica's parents told BBC News NI she had struggled after being bullied at a young age.

"The earlier bullying stayed with her throughout the years," Mr Glasser said.

"She kept all her burdens to herself because she didn't want to hurt us.

"She was just a wonderful kid and was hard working. For her to be gone is just soul destroying.

"The fact she isn't here to fulfil her dreams is heartbreaking."

Jessica had a consultation about her mental health in December 2024 but an appointment in January 2025 was cancelled due to unplanned leave by the mental health practitioner.

Her parents are angry the appointment was not rescheduled.

"This should never have happened," said Mrs Glasser.

"Lessons need to be learned here."

The practice Jessica attended told BBC News NI it was "unable to comment due to patient confidentiality" but expressed its deepest sympathies to the family for their loss.

Her parents have also called for the full implementation of the Department of Health's Mental Health Strategy.

"Our politicians really need to fight more for our young people," Mrs Glasser added.

"How is this strategy not fully implemented yet?"

The 10-year mental health strategy was published in June 2021, with £1.2bn needed to fully implement its recommendations.

A Department of Health spokesperson said mental health was a key area of focus for the minister and that he wished to convey his deepest sympathy to the Glassers.

"Northern Ireland has historically had higher prevalence rates of mental ill-health compared to other regions across the United Kingdom," they added.

"Despite higher need, however, funding levels for services here have been lower."

To date, the department said no additional funding had been provided to support the implementation of the strategy.

"The minister will continue to press the case for sustained additional funding," the department added.

Mrs Glasser has called on parents to talk to their children if they have any concerns.

"Never assume they are fine," she said.

"Jessica didn't always open up because she cared and didn't want us worrying, but talking is key.

"No parent should ever have to deal with this. We want to help other parents."

For information and support about any issues raised in this story contact the BBC Action Line.