Troubled Teens Resources

Boarding schools actually make a world of sense these days. That statement is prompted by reading a recommendation that, much as we make sure our kids are in good physical health prior to starting school, we ought to also submit them to mental health screening. Oh my. And if your reaction is a similar skeptical furrowing of the brow,well,that is just because you are scared, don’cha ya see?

“So why are we so afraid to allow our children to be screened for mental-health problems?

Are we afraid a problem uncovered is a reflection of our own psyche or parenting? Is it still the stigma connected with mental illness? Google “mental health screenings and children,” and a plethora of sites pop up filled with vehement opposition to any thought of a child being checked for mental-health problems.”

The author goes on to describe parents immediate and, apparently, vociferous objections wherever this testing is proposed.

“The concerns: schools will label a child for life; it’s one more way the government is interfering; a child’s mental-health status is parents’ business only; more kids will be put on psychiatric drugs; it’s a pharmaceutical/psychiatric industry marketing scheme, to name a few.”

(source)

Those objections are then facilely dismissed. Or so it seems, yet, they are absolutely valid concerns.Thus,back to my opening statement about boarding schools - be they troubled teen boarding schools or a specialty school, or military boarding schools - they are a very welcome option for those parents who object to the state, via the arm of public education, insinuating it judgments and will into a private family’s life.

But that is just an opinion. What’s yours?