4 Troubled Teens Blog

The percentage of teenagers reporting that they experienced bullying, assaults, and other forms of victimization dropped between 2003 and 2008, according to a new study funded by the United States Department of Justice. The researchers believe that anti-bullying programs in schools were behind the decreases.

• Dr. David Finkelhor and his colleagues at the University of New Hampshire's Crimes against Children Research Center went through surveys filled out by children ages 2 to 17 years old in 2003 and again in 2008.
  
• The researcher found that the percent of children reporting bullying went from 22 percent to 15 percent, and the rate of those reporting assaults declined from 45 percent to 38 percent in that period.
  
• The study found declines in sexual assaults and emotional abuse by caretakers, but slight increases in robberies targeting children, children witnessing violence among family members, and dating violence.

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has been used in several thousand American schools. The program involves training staff members to deal with bullying immediately when they observe it. Much of decline in bullying occurred in low income schools using such programs.

"The decline is not happening everywhere," said Marlene Snyder of Clemson University's Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life and director of development for Olweus. "It is in schools where adults really understand how detrimental this conduct can be and have made a conscious effort to bring the numbers down."

The Finkelhor study appeared in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Labels: bullying, prevention, awareness

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A state-run Florida program is receiving praise for effectively keeping troubled teens out of the juvenile court system. The Child in Need of Services program works with kids ages 10 to 17 who are deemed to be troubled, and to have the potential to commit crimes.

"The state says about 85 percent of those who spend time at one of its shelters do not commit a crime within six months of being released," the Associated Press reported. "For those with less severe issues who receive nonresidential counseling, the programs success rate is about 95 percent."

The program is said to save millions in taxpayer money by keeping kids out of the court system and out of prison.

Labels: prevention, jails

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According to a study published in the February issue of Pediatrics, teenagers are often the first to know when one of their friends is considering suicide. But they rarely turn to an adult for help.

"Thats one reason the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is running a program at this summer's American Library Association annual conference on how to address critical and sensitive issues among teens, such as depression," the School Library Journal reported.

Workshops will also address building collections and programming that open the door for young people and adults to learn about teen-related issues and address their concerns. The annual conference runs the week of June 24 in Washington, D.C.

Labels: suicide, depression, prevention, librarians

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Doctors can help suicidal teenagers, but they have to use sensitive language to be effective, according to two new studies.

The first study from the University of Massachusetts Children's Medical Center looked at 66 children ages 13 to 18 years old and their parents. Most participants in the study underestimated the problem of teen suicide but all agreed that doctors could be the best source of help and advice. The study appears in the journal Pediatrics.

In the second study, Dr. Steven Vannoy of the University of California in Davis combed through the transcripts of 298 doctors' visits, and found that physicians asked their patients about suicide 91 times.

If a doctor was "clear, supportive, and sensitive," the patient was more likely to confide in him or her. "Some aspects of the physicians' discourse may inhibit patient disclosure," according to Dr. Vannoy's report in the Annals of Family Medicine. "A small portion of inquiries were not prefaced by context statement. Failing to create a context before the inquiry may catch patients off guard and inhibit subsequent disclosure."

Labels: suicide, prevention

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In 2001, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death among teenagers. Today, its #3. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that suicide results in thousands of lives lost every year (4,500 people between the ages of 10 and 24).

According to a Jan. 12 Medical News Today article, researchers have discovered that much work remains in the effort to educate both parents and teens about warning signs that might indicate a young person is considering suicide:

In focus groups in Chicago and Kansas City, both teenagers and their parents correctly identified many of the known risk factors for suicide, including mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse, relational or social loss, and hopelessness.

However, study authors said it was concerning that some of the parents reported regular drug and alcohol use as being a normal part of adolescent development, rather than problem behavior.

Parents and teens suggested guns should be removed if an adolescent is known to be suicidal, but parents acknowledged they may not be able to identify a suicidal teen. Parents and teens didn't think suicide was a problem in their communities.

All groups were interested in learning how to identify and intervene with a suicidal adolescent.

Study authors conclude pediatricians should regularly screen all adolescents in their offices and encourage families to be open to discussing depression and suicide.

Labels: suicide, prevention, warning_signs

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The recent death of a 12-year-old Indiana boy prompted CBS Channel 2 (Chicago) reporter Suzanne Le Mignot to interview Stephanie Weber, the Executive Director of Suicide Prevention Services:

Weber said it's not unusual for a child that's 12 years old to take their own life.

"It is the second leading killer in the age group 12 to 24, which amazes a lot of people," she said.

Weber said there are a variety of things that are going on in a young person's life during that time.

"Developmentally and emotionally, there's a lot going on," she said. "Socially, there's a lot going on, but there's also a lot of pressure at school, there's pressure at home, bullying is on the increase. There's just so many factors that play into this."

Weber said that, at a young age, children can be very good actors. There are warning signs parents can look for in their children.

"Any sudden change in personality, withdrawing. Kids who want to sleep more. They're eating less. There's that whole affect about them that shows that they're sad. They're just pulling away," Weber said.

Labels: suicide, prevention

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Heralded as one of the great television series of all time, "The Wire" is often lauded for its realistic portrayal of the bleak futures and agonizing life choices facing many young people in poverty-stricken and crime-ridden areas of Baltimore, Maryland.

But one of the stars of "The Wire," Sonja Sohn, is using the show as a way to teach at-risk teens how to avoid the outcomes portrayed on the show. Derek Valcourt of Baltimores WJZ-13 described Sohns efforts in an Oct. 22 article:

Sohn started reWIRED for Change, a program that uses episodes of "The Wire" to coach kids fresh out of the juvenile justice system how to make smarter life decisions.

"If you've been on 'The Wire' you have street cred and so that street cred is currency. So why not use that currency for the betterment of other folks," said Sohn.

"She taught us how to think before we react to something. I stopped hanging with the people I used to hang with. So it's helped me a lot," said [18-year-old Latavia] Cornish. "I know my dream. I know I'm going to be successful. That's why I'm staying out of trouble. I'm on the right path now, so all I got to do is make sure I stay that way."

Sonja Sohn is already working with a second group of troubled teens.

Labels: prevention, outreach

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The prevalence of suicide thoughts and attempts among teenagers remain distressingly high. Many suicide attempts are related to teen depression -- but there are steps parents can take to support their teens, and help them manage situations that can trigger depression.

The Mayo Clinic advises parents to take the following five steps to lessen the likelihood that their children will suffer from depression -- and to increase the odds of identifying and treating the disorder should it occur:

1. Praise your child's skills.
2. Encourage your child to participate in organized activities.
3. Encourage your child to stay physically active.
4. Provide emotional support and guidance to your child.
5. Talk to your child.

Studies have also found that children who struggle academically at a young age develop symptoms of depression early. Getting involved in your childrens education from the beginning, offering support and praise for areas in which they do well, can help reduce or eliminate depressive symptoms.

Labels: parental_involvement, depression, prevention, teens

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Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, depression and other pediatric mental health issues are more likely to drop out of school, according to a new study from Australia.

Study author Steven Lehrer, a professor at Queens University, believes that since poor mental health has an impact on how long children and teenagers stay in school, policymakers should consider how to identify such issues in early childhood and develop interventions.

This study, published in the Forum for Health Economics and Policy, won the RAND Corporations Fuchs Research Award.

Labels: depression, prevention, mental_health, dropouts

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In the past six months, four students in Kaukauna (Wisconsin) High School committed suicide. In response to this ongoing tragedy, parents and community leaders are calling for heightened awareness of suicides warning signs.

In the Nov. 11 edition of the Post-Crescent newspaper, J.E. Espino reported on the schools efforts to raise awareness about teen suicide:

Because of the domino effect one suicide can have in a community, a growing chorus is calling for heightened awareness. Local suicide prevention advocates are forming coalitions. There is chatter at high schools, colleges and churches.

With suicide the third-leading cause of death among young people 15 to 19, the aim is to pierce the cloak of secrecy and stigma that surrounds it. &

We want to have it in the forefront so people are talking about it, said Mary Sullivan, a liaison for Community for Hope of the Fox Cities, a spin-off of the group in Oshkosh with the same name. The Fox Cities group is looking for volunteers and financial support to set up shop.

Labels: suicide, prevention, awareness

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The Maaco repair shop in Clarksville, Tennessee, fills up with teenagers every Saturday morning -- but they're not showing up just to hang out and look at cars. According to an Associated Press article by Tavia Green, the young people are participating in Project 59, an initiative aimed at giving troubled teens a chance to get their lives back on track.

Project 59 is an initiative through Operation Turnaround, a Clarksville Police Department program that gives teens who have been in trouble with the law a chance to get their lives back on track. Through mentorship from officers and volunteers, students learn trades and are better equipped to make good choices.

Maaco owner Mitch Rollins explained: "This is a car that nobody wanted. It was shunned, put away from society, and nobody wants to look at it. That's the way (these children) feel when they are incarcerated. They lose their self-respect and self-esteem. We show them how to rebuild that through the car."

Sgt. John Hunt, a director and mentor with Operation Turnaround, said the project will give the participants training they can use to better their future. Communication skills, a sense of responsibility, commitment, team-building and problem-solving skills, along with discipline, can all be accomplished if the teens take the project seriously, he said.

When the teens have finished restoring the 1959 Pontiac Catalina, the vehicle will be auctioned off to raise funds to help further the program, Green reported. Rollins told the AP that he hopes the car will sell for about $40,000.

Labels: prevention, troubled_teenagers, mentoring

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A meeting held Thursday night in Rock Hill, South Carolina, sought ideas for stemming the tide of youth violence. During the sixty-minute gathering, ideas included scholarships for teens who report violent crimes and a community march.

"The meeting came less than a week after a shootout on Catherine Street in Rock Hill that left one teenager dead, another injured and one more charged with murder," South Carolina newspaper The Rock Hill Herald reported. "Days before, another teen was robbed, shot and killed on a Byars Street porch.

The Emmett Scott Centers community room was filled to near-capacity as residents, pastors, parents and police officers came together to search for solutions, the paper noted. Though many good suggestions were generated, meeting organizers say the real measure of success will be implementation of these ideas.

Labels: violence, prevention

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The rise in childhood obesity has lead to countless studies, books and articles about proper nutrition. But as Julius Pokomandy reported in a Sept. 9 North Shore News article, childhood eating habits can also affect whether or not young people will engage in adolescent substance abuse:

Studies from the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University have been looking at the tremendous impact that family meals have on children. Their research repeatedly shows how children suffer when they don't spend regular, casual time with their families gathered around the dinner table.

Here is a quote from their summary:

"Compared with teens who frequently had dinner with their families (five nights or more per week) those who had dinner with their families only two nights per week or less, were twice as likely to be involved in substance abuse. They were 2.5 times as likely to drink alcohol, and nearly three times as likely to try marijuana."

Family members who eat together also have healthier relationships with each other, Pokomandy wrote, and children in these families report less tension at home.

Labels: prevention, family, substance_abuse, meals, communication

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Communities That Care, a program designed to reduce the rate of substance abuse among U.S. eighth-graders, has reported significant progress.

Among adolescents who participated in the program, alcohol use has been reduced by 25 percent, binge drinking has declined by 37 percent, and use of smokeless tobacco has decreased by 50 percent.

• The university-designed program is in place in12 small and medium-sized towns in seven different states.
  
• Each city was matched with a town of similar size, which did not employ the program, as a way to test the impact of the program.
  
• Communities That Care started in 2004 and now involves more than 4,400 teens.

A study of the program appeared in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Labels: prevention, substance_abuse, community, adolescent

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Richmond County (Georgia) Juvenile Court Judge Willie Saunders has seen a lot of kids come through his courtroom. While he admits that he's saddened by what he's seen, he also admits that he isn't shocked.

Now, a new program called "Change Your Mind: One Degree at a Time" will aim to help kids turn their lives around.An Aug. 12 report on the website of NBC Augusta provided the following details about the program:

For 26 weeks, [Rev. Devon] Harris will work closely with troubled teens, finding out what their goals are, analyzing the positive and negative things in their lives, and try to get them back on the right track. ...

"It's basically to reprogram a young man. It goes 180 degrees backwards. It's war games helping teens figure out where they are going in life," said Harris.

The Richmond County program is slated to begin in September.

Labels: prevention, troubled_teenagers

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Thanks to a federal grant and some creativity, Smithfield, Rhode Island, has seen a 13 percent decrease in underage drinking. The grant was part of a $12-million award given to Rhode Island to bolster the fight agains underage drinking and marijuana use.

Instead of doling out small amounts to every community, the state chose to focus on dividing the money among the top 14 communities with teen substance abuse problems, said Jeannie Vickers, coordinator of prevention services at Tri-Town Community Action Agency. (Source: The Providence Journal)

Vickers told the Journal that the Agency needed to generate some original ideas, knowing the state wanted more than just another "Just Say No" campaign. Instead, they created changes in law enforcement and ordinances related to underage drinking.

Labels: prevention, alcohol_abuse

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He helped lead the U.S. military through Operation Desert Storm, and later led the nation's diplomatic effort as Secretary of State. Now, according to a June 18 CNN article, retired four-star general Colin Powell is taking aim at another major challenge: the high dropout rate among U.S. high school students:

A 2008 study by America's Promise Alliance, a group founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell, concluded that only 52 percent of students in the nation's 50 largest school systems graduate in four years.

About 57 percent of Hispanic and 53 percent of African-American students graduate with a regular diploma in four years, according to the study, which puts the national graduation rate at 70 percent.

"Finishing high school is absolutely basic to being a success at any place in our society. We can't afford this," Powell said.

"If we lose these youngsters from our educational system, it doesn't mean they're all going to jail," Powell said. "It just means they're not going to have the same earning potential as they would if they finished school. And ultimately that will affect them, and it will affect the nation."

America's Promise Alliance hopes to hold 100 dropout prevention summits throughout the United States, CNN reported.

Labels: schools, prevention, dropouts

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Brenda Porter's 17-year-old son was shot and killed by another teenager. The tragic death moved Porter to action, and she developed a program to reach out to children and prevent more needless deaths.

"A random shooting took the life of a successful teenage commercial artist. Today, his memory lives on through a youth program Porter created called Choice Time. Children, many of them with troubled pasts, help raise money to support awareness for juvenile crime. In the process, kids learn to make positive choices..."

Children in the program also go on field trips, attend bible classes, and learn about job skills. Porter said she feels responsible for pointing kids in a positive direction, and has put this sense of responsibility into action. Source: CW Arkansas

Labels: violence, prevention

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Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has proposed a multi-million dollar plan to curb teen violence and keep kids away from drugs and gangs. At his press conference announcing the plan, Nickels said it's time to "fundamentally change" the model used for dealing with teen violence.

"Locally-run programs will target hundreds of at risk kids in their early teens in central, southwest and southeast Seattle, where the problems are most acute. The programs will help them stay in school and get job training, manage their anger and back away from the cycle of crime after early scrapes with the law."

Community support networks will also be created in the same three areas, and will be coordinated by Southwest Youth and Family Services, The Urban League of Seattle, and the Atlantic Street Center. Source: King5 News (Seattle, WA)

Labels: prevention, community

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Vigo County, Indiana, has declared 2008 the "Year of the Child." Its focus for the month of August is drug prevention, and several large events have been planned, including a back to school carnival.

"The other large event for the month is a family-based celebration provided by Families by Choice, led by Murial Ryan, called 'Celebrate the Family Table'. There will be food and activities, and the event will take place at Gilbert Park..."

Several studies have found kids in families that eat dinner together are less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Source: Tribune Star (Terre Haute, IN)

Labels: drugs, prevention, influences

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is soliciting applications for grants to support on-campus suicide prevention programs. The department expects to have about $2.1 million to fund about 21 grants.

"The American College Health Association's 2006 National College Health Assessment found that nine percent of students enrolled in a higher education institution had seriously considered suicide within the past year, and that 1.3 percent actually attempted suicide."

Grant availability is contingent on fiscal year 2009 funding, and average annual awards will be up to $100,000 a year for up to three years. Grant eligibility is limited to public and private institutes of higher learning. Source: Medical News Today

Labels: suicide, prevention, grants

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From 1997 through 2003, the number of teenage smokers in the United States dropped from 36.4 percent to 21.9 percent. But recent data shows that the percentage has remained largely unchanged over the past five years, prompting some to worry that anti-smoking campaigns are beginning to fail.

"[Terry] Pechacek [of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] blamed the trend in part on cuts on anti-smoking campaigns by states that had been funded by a nationwide 1998 settlement of a class-action lawsuit against the tobacco industry....At the same time, cigarette companies have continued to increase their spending on promotional activities...."

This data comes from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is conducted every two years. The YRBS questions students in grades nine through 12 about various risky behaviors including the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Labels: prevention, teenagers, smoking

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Emily is a high school senior at Wyoming Valley West. After she lost a friend to suicide earlier this year, the tragedy prompted her to hold a benefit concert to help support the non-profit organization To Write Love on Her Arms.

"To Write Love On Her Arms [is] an international organization that provides counseling and assistance to teenagers suffering with depression, addiction or self-mutilation issues."

The benefit was scheduled to be held at an area jazz café, and Emily said she hoped that at least 150 attendees would be on hand to support the bands and the organization. Source: Times Leader News

Labels: suicide, prevention, counseling

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Seattle has long had a problem with teenage prostitution, as have many other cities across the United States. But a recent report has shown that the Washington city provides little or no help to girls who want to get off the streets and into a better life.

"Safe housing for girls to escape violent and domineering pimps: nonexistent. Outreach programs: understaffed. Substance abuse and mental health counselors: untrained to address these teens. 'I don't even know how to ask them these questions,' one social worker admitted."

The report's author, Debra Boyer, held a forum in Seattle in which she revealed the results that were gathered from case studies and police reports. Boyer emphasized the importance of developing programs and other forms of assistance that will treat teenage prostitutes as victims rather than criminals. Source: Seattle Post-Intellingencer

Labels: prevention, girls, prostitution

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Dr. Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse wants to know how exercise can help prevent drug or alcohol abuse. The possible connection was first brought to her attention through a study that reported that teens and tweens who exercised were half as likely to smoke and 40 percent less likely to try marijuana than were their sedentary peers.

"The best evidence: Brown University took smokers to the gym three times a week and found adding the exercise to a smoking-cessation program doubled women's chances of successfully kicking the habit."

Volkow invited 100 exercise and neurobiology experts to a two-day conference where she announced that a $4 million research grant was being made available for further research. Though it has yet to be proved, initial studies show that the benefits of exercise extend beyond physical health and appearance. Source: Associated Press

Labels: prevention, addictions, exercise

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The Tri-County Youth Services Bureau in Maryland held its second "Youthquake" - an event aimed at helping teens discover healthy alternatives to drugs and alcohol. The event featured games, workshops, art, and music.

"The kids that attended Saturday's program at the La Plata Campus of the College of Southern Maryland came from different situations. While some are known to skip school regularly, others are go-getters who took the opportunity to attend the various workshops."

Most of the students signed up for Youthquake through their schools, and many learned that there are people out there who are ready and able to help teenagers. They also learned the importance of protecting their identity online, and setting healthy priorities. Source: Southern Maryland News.

Labels: schools, prevention, education

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Susan Wylie, counseling coordinator at the University of Alaska Southeast, wants to send a message to parents and educators: Break the stigma surrounding mental illness. One of the best ways to prevent teen suicide is by talking about it, but social stigmas often prevent that kind of open dialogue.

"Mental illness affects a majority of people who commit suicide, according to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, a national group dedicated to suicide prevention and based in Bloomington, Minn. And one in five teens experience depression before becoming adults, Wylie said."

Know the warning signs, and don't be afraid to talk to a teenager that you think is exhibiting some of the warning signs. You may be the only person who gives him the opportunity to talk. Read more at JuneauEmpire.com.

Mental illness in teens is a real and serious issue facing many families. An adolescent residential treatment center can offer the therapy and counseling needed to help teenagers and their families. Youth Care is a licensed treatment center for teens in Utah.

Labels: suicide, prevention, treatment_programs

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The Idaho Meth project has begun using an aggressive and somewhat disturbing ad campaign to try and curb the drug's popularity. The project is based on the Montana Meth Project, which - in two years - has seen adult meth use decline by 70 percent.

"Idaho launched the campaign in January. It includes TV ads, radio ads and billboard spots across the state. 'This is not a pretty drug,' [Executive Director Megan Ronk] says. 'This is not something we can sugar coat.'"

The goal of the ads is to create awareness, and opportunities for parents to talk to their kids about the drugs. The state has committed to running the campaign until meth use is "no longer an issue". Read more at KXLY.com.

Labels: meth, prevention, media

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Last September, the Idaho Meth Project surveyed more than 3000 junior and senior high school students to learn what the prevailing attitudes were about methamphetamine use.

"About 1 in 4 students said they believed meth could make them happy, and help them lose weight. Jose Deniz, CSI student says, 'I think that's exactly it. They're just not educated into exactly what it does to your body and how it deteriorates you. If they were to get some information or knowledge on it, they would probably think differently."

In response to the survey results, the Idaho Meth Project is conducting a radio and television campaign in hopes of educating teens on destructive meth use can be. Read more at KMVT.com.

Labels: prevention, education, attitudes

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SOS (Signs of Suicide) is a teen suicide prevention program that was first introduced in the 2000-01 school year. The materials include a video, and printed materials including a self-screening survey in which students can ask to talk to an adult about either themselves or a friend who might be at risk of attempting suicide.

"Research reports in 2004 and 2007 found that suicide attempts were 40 percent less for students in the SOS high school program than for the control group. The results were similar across racial and socioeconomic groups. Because of such studies, SOS is listed on the National Registry of Effective Programs maintained by the US government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration."

The program also teaches students to use the ACT method of "acknowledging" that a friend has a problem, "caring" by letting the friend know they want to help, and "telling" a trusted adult.

The Teen-Help-Directory offers help and information for teenagers and their parents. Find help for your teen before he or she turns to suicide.

Labels: suicide, prevention, education, misc

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Steve and Lynelle are advice columnists for the Herald Bulletin in Anderson, Indiana. They recently received a cry for help from someone worried about a little sister (14-years-old) who become rebellious and may be involved in drugs and alcohol.

"What should you and your family do? You need to enter into her life, get to know her again and ignore the abuse she's going to dish out while you attempt to bring her back into the fold. Do things with her, include her in family matters and don't take no for an answer."

They also suggest that it's time for this teen to be cut off from the friends who are encouraging her rebellious behavior. They acknowledge that she will kick and scream at these changes but that, in the long run, she will benefit from them. Read more at TheHeraldBulletin.com.

Need help for your troubled teen? Turn-About Ranch offers programs for troubled teens that have been proven to work.

Labels: risky_behaviors, prevention, influences

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"The Anne Arundel County Substance and Delinquency Prevention Coalition formed a youth committee to help plan the Anne Arundel County Teen Summit next year. The daylong event will discourage young people from using alcohol and drugs."

Twenty-six teens have already agreed to be part of the committee. The summit is being planned for May, 2008.

Labels: prevention, awareness, delinquents

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When Gary Parker started studying the behavioral patterns of teens with suicidal tendencies, he discovered something shocking: one-third of teens who commit suicide visit a doctor in the week before they die. Parker also found that many doctors and nurses miss the warning signs, which are evident if they know what to look for.

"A year later, a suicide prevention presentation...has made its way around the state [of Oklahoma] and overseas to China, reaching more than 2,000 people so far, and garnering Parker a national award from the medical clothing maker Cherokee."

The 30-minute presentation not only dispels some of the myths about teen suicide, but provides resources and a referral list for caregivers.

Labels: suicide, prevention, warning_signs

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In response to the Centers for Disease Control's shocking news on an 8% jump in the rate of teen suicide, the national children's crisis charity KidsPeace has issued a series of warning signs, potentially life-saving tips, and free resources to try and help prevent such unnecessary tragedies.

"There are a number of reasons why children, like adults, may find themselves thinking the unthinkable. At the core of all motivating factors lies a desperate need to cope with a situation that may seem beyond remedy."

The suicide rate for 10- to 14-year olds increased by 100 percent from 1980 to 1996 and is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year olds.

Labels: suicide, prevention, crisis

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The latest numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control show a 67% increase in the rate of suicide among 10- to 14-year-old girls between 2003 and 2003. The rate among girls aged 15-19 rose 32 percent.

"Overall, there were 4,599 suicides among young people in 2004, making it the third-leading cause of death, surpassed only by car crashes and homicide... Males committed suicide far more often than females, accounting for about three-quarters of suicides in this age group."

Richard Lieberman, who coordinates the suicide prevention program for L.A. public schools, said that increased rates of depression may account for the suicide spike.

Youth Care offers programs for troubled teens at their therapeutic boarding school.

Labels: suicide, prevention, awareness

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Florida's State Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the Florida Prison System, has started giving jail tours to teens and their parents, in an effort to show kids what can happen if they get in trouble with the law.

"[Chief Assistant State Attorney Jay] Plotkin says most studies show teens who come through a program like this will not get in trouble with the law and will understand that if they make the wrong choices they will end up in jail."

During the school year, the program focuses mainly on troubled or at-risk teens, but during the summer it's open to everyone. Read more at FirstCoastNews.com.

Looking for a list of military boarding schools? Learn more at Boot-Camps-Info.com.

Labels: prevention, jails, consequences

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School and police officials in Wyoming are working to determine how best to help teens understand the risks of underage drinking. They're finding that the most common approach - showing shocking images of accident scenes - may not be the most effective.

"'From what I've read, I think the approaches which try to shock students, either through videos of terrible accidents or other videos that emphasize the gruesome nature of things, the conclusions there are they are not effective and may be counterproductive,' [First Lady Nancy] Freudenthal said. Freudenthal isn't exactly sure why that's the case, but said it might be because students typically don't believe bad things can happen to them."

On city has implemented an incentive-based plan that rewards kids who stay drug and alcohol free. Indications are that 80 percent of the students there are participating in the program. Officials also emphasize the importance of parental involvement in the fight against underage drinking and substance abuse. Read more at CasperStarTribune.net.

DrugRehabTreatment.com offers news and information about adolescent substance abuse and underage drinking. Learn more about how parental attitudes influcence their child's choices today.

Labels: prevention, education, influences

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Though teen pregnancy is on the decline, there are still many young girls and boys who need help balancing the responsibilities of high school and parenting. The HELP Center of Athens, Texas offers a program called PEP (Pregnancy, Education and Parenting) where young people can find the guidance they need.

"According to the center, the PEP program is a dropout prevention program for pregnant and parenting teens... The program offers help during the academic year to anyone enrolled in a Henderson County school and actively attending."

Teen parents meet twice a month with a PEP counselor where they can discuss parenting, career goals and hopes for the future. The center also provides daycare so the parents can continue attending school. Read more at AthensReview.com.

Are you dealing with a bratty kid? Turn-About Ranch was featured on the UK version of Brat Camp and can help you and your family.

Labels: schools, prevention, teen_pregnancy

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According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people age 15- to 24-years old. Strong ties to family and friends can help protect most teens.

"'Early identification and access to help is the best way to reach out to children and adolescents at a very vulnerable time in their lives,' said Sally Fiehrer, director of the Butler County National Alliance on Mental Health."

Sudden withdrawal from friends, family and activities, neglect of personal appearance, and violent or rebellious behavior are just some of the warning signs. Read more at Journal-News.com.

Teenagers struggling with issues can find professional help and treatment at a residential treatment center like Island View. If you've been unable to find a treatment program for your teen becuase of a lack of proper diagnosis, then check out The Aspen Institute for Behavioral Assessment. The Institute offers all of the assessments necessary to gather and assemble a clear diagnostic picture and a treatment plan that will help get your teenager back on the right track.

Labels: suicide, risky_behaviors, prevention

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Weapons, alcohol and teenagers; three things that, in combination, usually spell trouble. It’s a combination that, last week, led to the death of 16-year-old Ashlee Hyatt. She had been at a party with friends when an argument broke out between two other girls. Ashlee stepped to try and diffuse the situation, and was stabbed.

“[Ashlee’s] mom Charrie said she hopes that if any good comes out of the tragedy, it would be that teens refrain from violence – and programs are set up for troubled teens so they have other outlets than resorting to violence.” [Source: The Province (Ontario, Canada)]

Ashlee’s friend Mike insists that kids don’t usually bring weapons to parties, but that’s little comfort for her parents. The Hyatts are asking everyone involved or affected by the incident to remain calm. “We don’t solve violence with violence,” said Ashlee’s mom.

 

Labels: violence, prevention

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

In 2008, the city of Los Angeles began its Summer Night Lights program, aimed at keeping area parks open later, and providing activities for young people. Recently, it was announds that the program will be expanded.

“That [first] year, gang crime in the surrounding neighborhoods dropped 17 percent; homicides declined by 86 percent; and aggravated assaults by 23 percent, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officials said it was the city’s safest summer since 1967.” [Source: The Daily Breeze (CA)]

The number of parks was doubled in 2009, and activities included basketball and soccer; acting workshops; and movie nights.

Labels: prevention, community, gangs

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

A new program in Memphis aims to keep track of teenagers convicted of gun-related crimes. It’s a step up from previous programs that handed down probation sentences which didn’t do much to deter future illegal behavior.

Police Director Larry Godwin says many of the 150 minors arrested with guns last year were allowed to return home on probation. He says the result is, they don’t fear the system.

The new initiative allows police and court officials to supervise the teen for one year through an ankle bracelet. But unlike some other tracking devices, these would keep a record of everywhere the detainee goes. [Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal]

The Memphis program is part of a $2 million, nationwide effort to reduce violent crime by electronically tracking the perpetrators.

Labels: prevention, criminals

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments