Why some teen health information may be private

Best first step: Check what type of access you currently have. Parent or guardian access, proxy portal access, caregiver access, records access, and permission to speak with the care team may all show or allow different information.

• Some teen health information may be private or limited in a parent or guardian’s portal view.
• Privacy limits may apply because of age, sensitive-care rules, patient permission, legal requirements, or record type.
• Portal proxy access does not always include every note, message, result, medication detail, or Brookhaven behavioral health record.
• Parents and guardians may still see general information, appointment details, billing items, or care instructions when allowed.
• Family members can usually share safety concerns with the care team even if staff cannot share private information back.
• If the teen may not be safe, use crisis or emergency support instead of waiting for portal access or records review.

Reason information may be private	What it may affect
Age-based privacy rules	Some information may become limited as a child becomes a teen or reaches a certain age.
Sensitive care	Behavioral health, reproductive health, substance-use care, crisis care, or other sensitive services may have additional limits.
Patient permission	The teen may need to give permission before certain information can be shared with a parent, guardian, or caregiver.
Record type	Portal notes, messages, safety plans, test results, medication details, and provider comments may each follow different rules.
Safety or privacy review	Some information may need review before it can be released or discussed.

• General appointment information, when allowed.
• Check-in, parking, visitor, or transportation instructions.
• Selected after-visit summaries or care instructions.
• Forms or questionnaires assigned to the parent, guardian, or proxy user.
• Billing or insurance information when the requester has access.
• Selected medication pickup or pharmacy coordination details when authorized.
• Follow-up steps that are approved for sharing.

Important: Limited access does not always mean the information is unavailable. It may mean the information is private, sensitive, delayed, under review, or available through a different request process.

• Behavioral health notes, therapy notes, or Brookhaven provider comments.
• Crisis referrals, wellness checks, safety reviews, or observation details.
• Safety-plan details the teen has not agreed to share.
• Medication details that reveal sensitive care information.
• Portal messages between the teen and care team.
• Some test results or visit notes connected to sensitive services.
• Information involving another person, family history, or private disclosures.

Portal change	What it may mean
Fewer notes appear	Some notes may be hidden from proxy view because they include teen-sensitive information.
Messaging access changes	Some messages may become private or require the teen to communicate directly.
Medication details are limited	Medication information may be connected to sensitive care or require additional permission.
Brookhaven records do not appear	Behavioral health information may require privacy review or formal records release.
Access appears to stop suddenly	The teen may have reached an age or care category where proxy access changes automatically.

• Some Brookhaven notes may not appear in parent or proxy view.
• Some crisis or safety information may require additional review before sharing.
• Some medication information may be limited if it reveals sensitive treatment details.
• Safety-plan steps may be shared only when appropriate and allowed.
• Parents and guardians may still be included in discharge planning when allowed and clinically appropriate.
• Family members can usually share urgent concerns even when Brookhaven cannot share private details back.

• Help the teen prepare questions before appointments.
• Help with transportation, check-in, and follow-up scheduling.
• Help track symptoms, side effects, or changes the teen agrees to share.
• Help pick up medications when allowed by the pharmacy and care plan.
• Help support routines, sleep, meals, and school or home needs after care.
• Ask the teen what support feels helpful and what feels too intrusive.
• Use urgent support if safety changes or symptoms escalate.

• Share what changed and when.
• Share symptoms, statements, messages, or behaviors that worry you.
• Share medication, overdose, withdrawal, or substance-use concerns.
• Share whether the teen is alone, missing, unreachable, or unsafe.
• Share whether the teen has access to unsafe items.
• Share recent discharge, crisis, or follow-up information if known.
• Use crisis or emergency support if the concern is urgent.

• Ask whether the information is restricted, delayed, or under review.
• Ask whether parent or guardian proxy access is active.
• Ask whether the teen needs to give permission.
• Ask whether a release of information is needed.
• Ask whether legal documents need to be submitted or updated.
• Ask whether a formal records request is required.
• Ask what information may remain private even after review.

Do not wait for portal access, records release, privacy review, or a routine callback if the teen may not be able to stay safe or needs immediate care.

• The teen has thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.
• The teen has a plan, intent, or access to means for self-harm or harm to others.
• The teen says they cannot stay safe or asks not to be left alone.
• The teen is missing, has left unexpectedly, or cannot be contacted after expressing safety concerns.
• There is severe confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, agitation, or unsafe behavior.
• There is a suspected overdose, severe medication reaction, withdrawal concern, or medical emergency.
• Symptoms are escalating faster than the current plan can manage.

Use crisis or emergency support right away. If there is immediate danger, use emergency services.