When Autumn Hayes was getting ready to start seventh grade, her family moved to a new town where she had to attend a new school and make new friends. The pressure was too much and, not knowing of any other way to cope, she began cutting herself. School officials became aware of her actions and sent her to a week of residential treatment.

"At the treatment center, Autumn learned other ways of coping with stress. She began keeping a journal and listening to music by rock bands such as Linkin Park and Panic! at the Disco instead of cutting."

When her dad was dying of prostate cancer, he made her promise that she'd never cut again. His voice still rings in her memory and reminds her to seek healthy coping mechanisms. Now Autumn hopes to get involved in support groups and help other teens who are grieving or cutting.

A good residential treatment center, like Island View in Utah, can help assess a troubled teens needs and then create a solid treatment plan. Learn more at IslandView-rtc.com.

Labels: cutting, stress, treatment_programs