duty to warn
The duty to warn is a legal and ethical responsibility that certain professionals, like mental health providers, have to inform relevant parties if a person poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others. This means if a therapist learns that their patient is considering violence, they may need to alert authorities or potential victims to prevent that harm. It’s a balance between maintaining confidentiality and protecting safety, ensuring that those in danger are warned while still respecting individual rights.
Additional Insights
-
The Duty to Warn refers to a legal and ethical obligation that certain professionals, particularly in mental health, have to inform potential victims if a client poses a serious threat to them. This duty arises when a therapist learns that a patient may harm someone, including the potential victim or themselves. The aim is to prevent harm and protect individuals from foreseeable dangers. It balances the need for confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship with the responsibility to protect potential victims from harm.