Training for Teachers to Deal With Disclosures of Mental Health Challenges by Students Who Also Refuse Parental or Counsellor Involvement

100 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Education (a) what are the protocols for teachers when students disclose mental health challenges but refuse parental or counsellor involvement, particularly regarding how to balance a student's right to confidentiality with safety obligations; and (b) what specific training or legal protection is provided to teachers to help them navigate these ethical dilemmas without damaging student-teacher trust.

Mr Desmond Lee: All teachers are equipped with basic counselling skills as part of teacher preparation. This includes conducting supportive conversations with students as well as understanding confidentiality limits and escalation processes.

When students disclose social-emotional or mental health challenges to their teachers, teachers will attend to their needs and emotions and refer them for further support where necessary. Teachers will explain to the students, the rationale if additional support is required and confidentiality limits. Where there are safety concerns, such as abuse, self-harm or harm to others, teachers are obligated to inform their school leaders, who will activate additional support, such as the school counsellor, community mental health services or parents, as appropriate.

The Ministry of Health has also convened an expert group to study the issue of parental consent and will release guidelines for the youth services sector in due course. Where the guidelines could be relevant and applicable to our schools, the Ministry of Education will study them accordingly.