| Only the parent of a troubled teen can really | | | | Residential schools and camps are usually for at-risk |
| understand the worry regarding the care of their | | | | youth who are in serious trouble. Taking the teen out |
| child. Whether the issue is a single one or more than | | | | of their environment and away from the events and |
| one, any teen in an at-risk situation is a concern for | | | | people who may have caused the problem in the |
| everyone. And it doesn't help to know there are | | | | first place, is of obvious benefit. |
| many young people in a crisis. What is needed is | | | | A clean break may be essential if the at-risk |
| immediate and appropriate help. | | | | youngster is to kick whatever bad habit or habits |
| But that's when the situation can get tricky. What | | | | they have acquired. By sending your child to a |
| type of help is best for your teen? Finding any help | | | | boarding school or camp needs careful attention and |
| may be worthwhile but far better to find the right | | | | be well chosen. There are different types of |
| type so as to best help the young person in trouble. | | | | residential programs and the one which will best treat |
| For a parent in this situation there are at least three | | | | your teen is the one you should choose. |
| options.o Your family doctoro Your local health | | | | Don't think though that a residential facility will create |
| authorityo A camp or school for at risk youth | | | | another problem in that you and your child will lose |
| Your family doctor may not be an expert in therapy | | | | touch. Most camps and boarding schools encourage |
| for young people but he or she can do at least two | | | | communication between residents and their families. |
| things. [a] Help discover the cause of the trouble and | | | | You can keep in touch. |
| [b] recommend an expert who deals with such cases. | | | | Great advances have been made in recent times |
| Your local health authority will have staff who know | | | | regarding both the diagnosis and thus the treatment |
| about various treatments for particular problems. If | | | | of different conditions. Conditions like drug and alcohol |
| they cannot offer the service they will know where | | | | addiction and ADHD have been researched in great |
| such therapies are available. | | | | detail. |
| Finally there are camps and schools for at-risk youth. | | | | So too have been the therapies and methods of |
| This brings every parent to a major decision. Will the | | | | treatment. Some involve wilderness camps or military |
| treatment for their teen be in a residential facility or | | | | or boot camps. |
| will the teen receive therapy while they remain living | | | | The key is to take action as soon as possible. Do not |
| at home? | | | | ignore the at-risk youth and do not hope it is just a |
| The first step of course is to determine the nature | | | | phase from which they will soon emerge. Have your |
| of the problem. Only when a proper professional | | | | teen examined by a specialist and plan their recovery |
| diagnosis has been made can the appropriate | | | | using the correct and appropriate method of therapy. |
| treatment be chosen. | | | | |