Can I email GP general email address about my adult son‘s mental health?

5 replies

MaggieBsBoat · 02/09/2026 16:05

I want to contact the mental health team at a local GP practise regarding my adult son. I don’t have a direct email, just the reception email. Is it ok to do this and write confidential on the subject line? They don’t give direct emails out but I am not there to drop in a letter. Does anyone know what will happen? Will the receptionist forward my email? Will it disappear into an endless inbox? Any advice from those in the know much appreciated.

OP posts:

KeeepWalking · 02/09/2026 16:07

I guess it depends on the surgery, but I've had to do this with my mum's GP. I have POA for her, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but emailed to the general practice email adrees and they forwarded it to the relevant GP.

Lavendersong · 02/09/2026 16:08

Yes it will get to right person

Sparrowsandbudgies · 02/09/2026 16:13

I would ring the practice and ask them directly. They may have a separate email you can use. Just be aware that it may be uploaded to your sons NHS app - this is what would happen in our practice (had similar issue with husbands mental health) so if your son checks his app and you don’t want him to see it check first.

bigboykitty · 02/09/2026 16:15

It won't actually be confidential, but it's okay to put the email title as 'confidential - for the attention of the mental health team'. It should be forwarded.

Original poster

MaggieBsBoat · 02/09/2026 17:04

Super. Many thanks to all of you. @Sparrowsandbudgies thank you for your heads-up. I hadn’t considered that. I think I will go ahead anyway but it’s one to ponder. I am going to organise POA and he knows this so hopefully any letter from me should t be so shocking or out of the blue.

Thank you again! 🙏

OP posts:

Flip