Yes, parents of 16 year-olds can make their children see a psychiatrist or a mental health professional for depression and other mental illnesses. Until the child reaches 18 or 19, depending on the state, the parents are responsible for all aspects of their children's mental and physical health and well-being.

If the child refuses to accept help and go with the parent to see a professional, the parents can call 911 and police can escort the child. Hopefully, it will not have to come to the point of police involvement. But if the child is suicidal or has harmed himself or others, sometimes parents have to make such decisions to keep their children safe.

If you would like to speak with a counselor about this in more detail, please contact our toll-free hotline or e-mail us. Our counselors are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. We are here for parents and children of all ages.
Take care and best wishes to you and your family!

Sincerely,
Cynthia, Counselor
Boys Town National Hotline
1-800-448-3000
hotline@boystown.org

Yes you can force him to but chance are when you get him there he is not going to talk unless he is ready to, just ask him to go to regular doctor for checkup then you tell the doctor what simptons he has been going through then the doctor can recommend what to do and maybe then it'll make it easier for you both, I went through this with my stepdaughter and she REFUSED to go everytime then I told her that it wasn't that bad there was alot of people that went to places for help when they couldn't talk to family about the situation they were dealing with. It took a little while but after the doctor recommended it then it was ok with her. Maybe this will work for him also because he is not the only person that deals with stuff like this and you need to explain that to him and let him no that no matter what you will be there for him if he wants to talk about anything