It's a actionable offense here in the US if a medical doctor, psychiatrist, mental health professional , physician's assistant, nurse's assistant, nurse, nurse's aide/assistant , educator, and/or any individual handling medical/psychological information about a person breaches that person's medical/emotional health information. HIPAA laws are pretty specific.

HOWEVER, if one of those individual's suspect that the client is a threat to themselves or another person, they are obligated by law to report this action to the proper authorities. He/she has NO choice. If they don't report, he/she can lose their license. I'd like to say that I agree that if one doesn't agree with this law that he/she should ignore or boycott it . .. reality? Who can afford to walk away from their career? I know that I couldn't.

AND if the person suspects that the client is a possible victim of abuse/domestic violence or a possible threat to commit homicide or physical/sexual/emotional abuse on someone else, they are obligated by law to report their suspicions.

And if the person suspects that the client might possibly commit physical/bodily harm to themselves (ie. suicide), than he/she is obligated by law to report his/her suspicions to the proper authorities. Even when mental health workers do this, it is often ignored--read about the psychiatrist who was treating the shooter in the Auora CO spree shooting.

AND if the person suspects that the client might know about or perpetrate sexual, physical or emotional abuse on a minor, than he/she is obligated to report this.

I GET the PARANOIA. I resented and felt deep deep anger at my friends and family when things got "crazy" for me in regard to my safety. I felt that it was none of their business. I resented that my primary doctor went on vacation right after I started on anti-depressants and "assigned" someone I didn't know and didn't know me to "monitor" how I was doing. But you know what? I was a danger to myself.

I RESENTED how my psychiatric notes were "open" to any and all people in my primary's office. Personally, I didn't think it was any of their business! . .. especially since I didn't mean a heck of a lot to the people in my primary's office right after I started on the anti-depressants, and then a few weeks later when they did Jack-Sh** to make things better when things went really bad! I still feel that way. I think that psychiatric notes are too open to people who HAVE NO BUSINESS SEEING THEM!

I hope you're able to find some good mental health services. I understand the paranoia you feel (been there, felt that!) but I also feel that there is a balance. I wish I could find it!