4 Troubled Teens Blog

Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would give college tuition grants to some juvenile offenders. Supporters of the bill believe it would encourage some troubled teens to get their lives back on track.

"Delegate Norm Conway is sponsoring the bill. As an educator for 39 years, he says it's important to help troubled teens make a positive transition. 'They're out of their own families in many instances. You're hoping for the best possible transition and incentives that say hey if you're willing to do your part there are some opportunities out there for you.'"

The current proposal would make eligible committed juveniles under the age of 21. The grants could be used for any state public education institution. Read more at ABC2News.com.

Labels: grants, education, college

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A 2004 survey conducted by the American College Health Association found that nearly 15 percent of all college students meet the criteria for clinical depression. Another seven percent have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

"Sophomore Taylor Evans believes that 'the stress and constant worry about keeping grades up and passing classes combined with having to struggle to figure out what it is that you want to do for the rest of your life' are primary causes behind these illnesses."

The American Psychiatric Association, on its website, offers suggestions for helping young college students avoid things like depression and anxiety. Getting enough sleep, sticking to a regular schedule, and maintaining a proper diet are just a few of their tips.

College students who need a healthy, structured living environment can find their place at NorthStar Center. Located in Bend, Oregon, NorthStar offers an aftercare program for older teens and young adults.

Labels: depression, anxiety, college

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New Haven, Connecticut is seeing an increasing number of teenagers enroll in adult education centers to complete their high school educations. Many, Like Corey Cox, simply didn't adjust well to high school, got very poor grades, and eventually dropped out.

"Cox's future looked bleak, until a third option emerged. He enrolled at the Adult Education Center in New Haven, most likely his last chance at a diploma. 'I said "Ma, I'm loving it. It was the first time I stayed in school all day,"' said Cox."

About 6,100 students in Connecticut enrolled in adult education last year to earn high school credit or their GED. The state allows anyone ages 16 and older to enroll. Many of the students cite caring teachers and more personal attention as primary reasons they perform better in adult education than in tradition high school.

Read more at NHRegister.com.

Still not sure how to help your young adult who isn't ready for college? Read about more Options for Troubled Teens After High School to learn about programs for young adults who are in successful recovery and sober living environments at NorthStarCenter.com.

Labels: education, young_adults, college

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A study of college students and mental illness found that more students are coming to campus with pre-existing conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression. Although these are serious illnesses, the research indicates that better treatments may be enabling more of them to overcome their illnesses and succeed at college.

• Researchers from Hofstra University in New York studied the records of 3256 college students who used counseling services between 1997 and 2009.
• In 1998, 93% of the students had at least one mental disorder, but by 2009, that had increased to 96%.
• The number of students on psychiatric medicines increased by ten percentage points in the 12-year period.

"The percentage of students with moderate to severe depression has gone up from 34% to 41%," said Dr. John Guthman, lead author. "These outliers often require significantly more resources and may contribute greatly to the misperception that the average student is in distress."

One positive finding was that the number of students who thought about suicide declined by more than half.

The study was presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.
 

Labels: bipolar, mental_health, depresion, college

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 0 Comments

The transition to college can be a stressful one. New city, new roommate, big campus... it’s a lot of change. For years, people have said that transition is harder at some schools than others; the classes are more challenging and expectations are higher, making kids at those schools more susceptible to mental illness and even suicide. But is that true?

“Suicide can be highly imitative in nature. That means it often occurs in clusters – both on and off college campuses. Any given school can go years without a single student suicide and then have half a dozen or more within a year or two.

But the idea that some schools are particularly prone to suicide – because they are too demanding or attract a certain type of student – is not supported by research.” - Source: Newsweek

Fortunately, most schools are equipped to help students who struggle with anxiety, stress, depression and other mental illnesses.

 

Labels: stress, suicide, depression, students, anxiety, college

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