Community Resources for Troubled Teens: Where to Find Help and Support

Whether you are a parent, family member, or caregiver of a troubled teen or a troubled teenager, you first need to know that you are not alone in your struggles. 

It’s difficult to say how many teenagers in the US would be classified as “troubled” because the term is broadly used to describe a teenager going through emotional and mental challenges. These issues then lead to reckless and dangerous behavior and other associated risks. 

What is clear, though, is that our children are growing up in a society wrought with dangers and negative influences, which, on an environmental level, is contributing to more and more teens acting out.

As parents, it’s important not to push aside these behaviors and excuse them as everyday teenage things. Instead, seeking help for your troubled teen is one of the best stepping stones for their future success. 

In this post, we will look at different avenues to seek help for you and your child, such as community-based resources and therapeutic boarding schools. 

Local Resources

Community health centers are the first port of call for all health-related issues. But did you know that most centers across the US have a dedicated mental health section? Enquire at your nearest center about any troubled teen programs and whether they can point you toward specific care. 

In severe cases, you can seek out the help of a licensed child and adolescent psychologist. The health center may be able to assist in finding a practitioner that suits your financial means and situation. 

The community library is also a great place to learn more about the teenage experience in the modern world. The more information you have, the more you can help your teen through this challenging time. 

Online Resources

Several online forums, such as Teen Line, are dedicated to providing a safe and secure place for teenagers to ask questions and share their experiences. At the same time, there are myriad parenting forums to join if you seek advice about better care for your troubled teen.

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with and learning from others. Encourage your teen to follow people who inspire them with positivity or even former troubled teenagers. This will also help them to know that they are not alone, and although it seems like there is no solution in sight, so many people have faced adversity and risen above it. 

Children-related websites, such as Child Welfare Information Gateway, are also helpful for troubleshooting serious situations involving teens who need urgent care.

Support Groups

There is strength in numbers and comfort in sharing your experience with others on the same or similar journey. 

Support groups can hugely benefit your emotional and mental well-being as a parent. They can also be helpful for your teen as long as they agree to attend meetings of their own accord. It’s no use forcing someone to do something they are not ready for. 

More information about troubled teen support groups in your immediate area can be found through the PTA at your child’s school religious centers or churches.  

Counseling Services

Troubled teens can access online teen counseling from just about anywhere, at any time. This availability of mental health care mitigates several barriers to care, such as transport to and from counseling and financial costs. 

The nature of online therapy sessions also suits the current Gen-Z population just fine, as they grew up with screens and technology. This means they will most likely prefer talking to someone about their challenges through a screen than face-to-face interactions.

Schools are also an excellent counseling resource for troubled teens. In the States, 96% of public schools have a mental health offering for students.

If your teen feels uncomfortable speaking with you about their mental health issues, gently advise them to seek the advice and support of a school counselor. 

Residential Treatment Centers

These centers, also known as therapeutic boarding schools, are designed to give teens an optimum environment to kickstart their healing. 

As environmental factors cause many problems facing teens, a live-in facility allows teenagers to focus on themselves and take part in treatment plans in a stress-free and well-organized living space. 

The centers usually offer many teen intervention programs which form part of the treatment plan.

The programs are focused on overcoming challenges facing at-risk youth, including mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, and oppositional defiant disorder. 

But, when it comes to choosing the most suitable center for your child, parents often feel overwhelmed by the choices before them. 

Help Your Teen Now, an advocacy group focused on helping parents choose the best residential treatment facility for their troubled teen is here to ease the burden.

Their team of professionals will take your unique circumstances and give you professional advice on which treatment center will suit both you and your financial means, as well as your teenager’s needs. 

The post Community Resources for Troubled Teens: Where to Find Help and Support first appeared on Help Your Teen Now.

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