It can be an assumption to beleive that a summer program will straighten out behavior that has been going on for the past school year or longer. The bigger misconception is labeling them a troubled teen when in reality many teens are struggling with their mental health.
Teenage mental health is now a crisis in our country. Depression, anxiety as well as suicide ideation has become a growing concern for parents of youth today. Although some people point to the pandemic as the beginning of this mental health breakdown, the truth is, it only lifted the covers off of what our kids are facing today.
One major factor that has been a trigger to the decline of teenage mental health is technology. Teenagers today are attached to their devices — whether it’s texting, social media or gaming, screen time has increased dramatically which has led to mental health disorders such as listed above.
Why Summer Programs Are Not Successful
Over the past several years, more and more therapeutic boarding schools have now discontinued their summer programs. Although this was a nice revenue stream, the fact is they were not successful with the majority of students.
If your teenager has been experiencing negative behavior for the past 9 months or more, it is highly unlikely it will be changed in 4-6 weeks. Short-term programs yield short-term results. This is exactly why when parents spend outrageous amounts of money for wilderness programs, they quickly find out they likely need a long-term program to incorporate long-lasting behavioral changes.
Therapeutic summer programs (camps) have great intentions, are designed to help your teenager, and do their best to get as much as they can into the short amount of time they have, the fact is it is hard to get through to a young person that can be treatment resistance and simply doesn’t want to be there.
Teens are smart. They will/can comply for 4-6 even 9 weeks. They know they have their exit shortly and can get through this. Fake it until the summer is over, they are upset, but also know their parents are serious about this — and likely understand they deserved it (deep down). They also know — they will be back with their friends and devices soon enough.
Why Choosing 6 Months Is Better for Your Troubled Teen
First, don’t panic, 6-9-12 months depending on your teen’s emotional needs can literally change your child’s life. This is a snapshot of their life that will give them a second opportunity at a bright future — and in some cases, can save their life. Dealing with mental health is a necessity that will only get worse into adulthood if not addressed now.
When a teen is removed from the stressors and triggers of home – not to mention their peer influences and devices (social media) – with a slowed down manageable pace – and placed into an environment with staff, activities (enrichment programs) and therapy designed to encourage change – (build self-worth) – the opportunity for the kind of true and deep change required to turn your teen’s life around can finally start to happen.
Teens will take at least 30-60 days, and sometimes longer, to actually settle into a therapeutic program until they realize they are there for the long haul. Their parents are also on-board and everyone is working together to help them come to a healthy place in their life. Typically, the therapeutic programs will let your teen understand the duration is as long or short as they make it — it’s up to your teen and the work they put into it.
5 Goals of a Therapeutic Program
1. Evaluation. Your teen (once removed from their home environment and peer influences) will likely have a comprehensive evaluation to assess emotional, behavioral, medical, and social needs, and support these needs accordingly and safely.
2. Treatment plan. Determining the right residential treatment program for your teen includes finding one that can meet his/her individual needs. Residential programs will design an individualized treatment plan that puts into place interventions that help your teen attain their goals.
3. Therapy. When your child was at home, it is likely he/she either refused to attend counseling, maybe manipulated the therapist, or possibly simply didn’t engage with them. While in residential treatment, your child will be attending both individual and group therapy to help them through their healing process.
Now that your teen is in a therapeutic setting, it is more difficult for them to keep up their walls. These therapists are trained to work with youth that are difficult to breakthrough.
4. Family involvement “peacefully”. Well-rounded residential programs encourage and provide opportunities for family therapy and contact through on-site visits, home passes (when the time comes), telephone calls and other modes of communication. Trained staff is always available to help navigate issues of concern for both the parents and when/if the teenager gets upset from meetings or letters.
Most residential treatment programs and therapeutic boarding schools also offer parenting and family workshops. These can be extremely beneficial in making the transition back home.
5. Builds self-worth. Residential treatment programs not only offer clinical teams to help your teen emotionally, most provide additional behavioral therapy through enrichment programs. These are designed to help your teen develop coping skills as well as building self-esteem to make better choices in life.
Conclusion
This is not to say all teens need long-term therapeutic settings, there are some young people that a short-term summer camp would be beneficial for them. If your teen has recently started failing in school, showing signs of sadness, anxiety — starting with local therapy is always a good place to begin, in addition with a summer opportunity.
Be an educated parent when it comes to therapeutic summer camps and programs, have a better understanding of what is best for your teenager and family.
Also read:
How to Choose the Right Therapeutic Boarding School
Does My Teen Need Residential Treatment?
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