Mental Health Testing Ought to be Required for United States Public Schools.

FIRST CONTENTION:My opponent is making claims without any sources. "For example, if a student knows that his medical conditions may be disclosed to the school he may not truthfully tell his doctor the full extant of his symptoms and doctors are not miracle workers"Do you have any source of this? Also, students have to fill out a health form that documents the student's primary care doctor, in which if a counselor senses something that needs more specific care, they are allowed to contact the doctor. Continuing on that note, the AAFP documents the patient-doctor confidentiality promise in which all doctors follow, one section stating that: H. Policy exceptions which permit medical records release within applicable law: To another physician who is being consulted in connection with the treatment of the individual by the medical-care provider; In compelling circumstances affecting the health and safety of an individual; Pursuant to a court order or statute that requires the physician to report specific diagnoses to a public health authority; and Pursuant to a court order or statute that requires the release of the medical record to a law enforcement agency or other legal authority. Thus, by law, the confidentiality and privacy of the student would be completely confidential unless in those circumstances, which ensures the most privacy possible under the safest conditions. So, unless it was under legal action, a student's medical privacy would be kept by a professional counselor or doctor unless he or she was going to harm someone or his/herself. This also states the a counselor is allowed to, if not encouraged to, contact a more specified physician in order to offer the best treatment. "A doctor/psychiatrist may know how to deal with someone with depression/anxiety but teachers may not understand what these students need due to their mental conditions. "As with all medical subjects, only trained nurses and school counselors (in which the typical entry degree requirement is a Master's Degree in counseling and psychology-related majors) would be treating the patient, not teachers. These same people are required to follow the confidentiality clause stated above. SECOND CONTENTIONI addressed this in my first argument, as my opponent agrees that the two are related ("Which brings me to the next point. .. ."). "What's the point of having the teachers and school officials know? They aren't doctors, they don't know what to do with that information. "As I stated previously, only professionals (nurses and counselors) would be dealing with this topic; not teachers and school officials. "Even if everyone knew someone was a sociopath, what are they going to do? There are plenty of sociopaths that go through life never shooting up schools or murdering women in dark alleys. "Without a source, this argument is void. However if we do assume that this is correct, it is not a strong argument. Sociopaths are incredibly rare, and the current term for the disorder is not sociopath, it's Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD). APD is an extremely rare disorder, affect only 1% of the population. This disorder specifically can be a problem getting and maintaining jobs and school attendance, as well as school performance, in which would be beneficial for the student to be treated. Not only for the current social conditions of school, but to prepare the student for the proper social interaction required for maintaining a job. As I stated in my original argument, students with these mental illnesses are not receiving help. Since all students are required to go to school, and school requires diligence, skill, and concentration that is difficult for those struggling, it is the perfect opportunity for them to be screened to receive help. Students already have physical screenings (eye testing, hearing testing, height and weight checks, etc. ). These test for physical abnormalities that can infringe on a students school performance and quality of life. However, mental health, which I have described previously and my opponent accepts, influence school performance and quality of life (evident in the suicide statistics), and it's about time we take action. SOURCES:Doctor-Patient Confidentiality Clause:. http://www.aafp.org...School Counselor Requirements:. http://www.bls.gov...Antisocial Personality Disorder:. http://www.nimh.nih.gov...;