Nicole Eisel Case Summary

Nicole Eisel was a 13-year old student who had suddenly taken a strong interest in Satanism. Her fascination with the religion caused her to have an obsessive interest in death and self-harm. Nicole became so obsessed with death that she intended to kill herself. The friends and fellow students that she told her thoughts of death to, reported Nicole’s intentions to their school counselor, and Nicole’s student counselor. The two counselors then questioned Nicole about the allegations but she denied saying anything about the intention to kill herself. Neither counselor notified Nicole’s parents or the school administration about Nicole’s alleged intent because of student confidentiality. About one week after her talk with the guidance counselors,

From their lack of action, Nicole and another student took their own lives. In doing so, Stephen Eisel, Nicole’s father, sued the school and the two counselors for not informing him or his wife of Nicole’s condition. Mr.Eisel believed that the relationship between Nicole and her counselors created an obligation for the counselors to inform Mr. and Mrs.Eisel of Nicole’s suicidal intentions. He felt that since the counselors did not notify him or his wife, the counselors should be held at least partially responsible for the two student’s death. According to the lower court that took on the case Eisel v. Board of Education of Montgomery County, the school counselors were not at fault for the student’s death (Stone, Zirkel). This is just one example of many, where a person’s life was put at risk due to confidentiality regulations of at risk students. The condition of at risk students should not be kept confidential by medical, therapeutic, or school counselors, because students who have poor emotional or physical conditions can put their own and other lives at risk, which warrants parental, authoritative, and possible victim