Military Schools in Massachusetts for Troubled Teens

As a parent, what is your greatest fear? Anyone who has been struggling with a troubled, unhappy, or at risk teenager, the answer is an obvious one: what can happen to their life as they struggle with those issues. Depression, suicidal tendencies, self harm, mental illness, substance abuse, criminal behaviors, anger and rage, poor academic performance, gang activity, sexual acting out...there are so many horrible ways that a teen can end up severely harming themselves and their future. When your child is facing these issues, what can really be done? You may feel as though you have tried everything, and extreme measures could be your next step. Military schools in Massachusetts for troubled teens are becoming more and more popular. If you are reading this, you may be preparing for that very eventuality. But there are some problems you will want to look at.

The Problem With Massachusetts Military Schools For Troubled Teens

The military school as a correctional school has been a staple in the media for years. It is the go-to threat: straighten up, or it is straight to military school for you! But regardless of this reputation, these institutions are not meant for troubled teenagers. In fact, they are often the worst possible place to put them. First, there is the issue of the reasons for their acting out in the first place. Your child isn’t just a bad kid. There are reasons that they are struggling, such as exposure to trauma or abuse. A full 26% of children have been traumatized before the age of four, and 4 out of 10 minors report physical assault within a year of being surveyed. Outside of trauma, mental illness and psychological disorders can play a big part. An incredible 20% of youths have a mental condition, and 11% have a mood disorder. An additional 10% experience conduct disorder. Obviously these problems can have a serious impact on behavior. Here are some other statistics that potentially put teens at risk:

• Suicide: Suicide is a leading cause of death for individuals between 10-24 and Texas ranks 48th in the nation for suicide. (U.S. Census Bureau).
• Substance abuse: 31% of Massachusetts teens report drinking alcohol regularly, 16% admit to binge drinking, 38% have used marijuana one or more times, and 4% use cocaine and abuse prescription meds. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017).
• Juvenile crime: In a 2017 report from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 104 Texas teens were arrested for aggravated assault, 30 were arrested for robbery, 211 were arrested for larceny, 37 were arrested for drug abuse and 26 were arrested for weapons violations. (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2017)
• ADD/ADHD: 9.6% of Texas children between ages 4 through 17 are diagnosed each year; countless more children and teens go undiagnosed. (CDC: “Trends in the Parent-Report of Health Care Provider-Diagnosed and Medicated ADHD: United States, 2016.)
• High school graduation: Texas has an 87.3% graduation rate. (U.S. Department of Education, 2014-2015.)

Military schools are not equipped to manage these issues, nor substance abuse or other strains on a teenager’s life. They use a discipline model that fails to meet the serious underlying issues. In many cases they can actually make the problem worst, and your teen will come back home with more aggression than ever. These institutions are better suited for those who are looking to join the military as a career, not as a holding place for struggling adolescents.

Residential Treatment Over Military Schools For Troubled Teens

Parenting a troubled teenager can be difficult and emotional. Once you have decided that a full time therapeutic facility is the right decision to help your teen, it can be daunting to determine which one will be best. While many parents begin their search by looking into military schools in Massachusetts, they may not be aware that a program further afield might be more effective. We have found that many teens thrive in an environment that is unique. Some of the reasons for this include:

• Surroundings that are new and challenging, where they can leave behind negative stigmas and temptations while they work on positive life changes.
• A valuable opportunity for teens and their parent(s) to get some temporary distance from each other. Each party can spend the time apart working on individual challenges and concerns.
• Full time rehabilitation programs offer a time of respite for parents while their teen resides in a safe environment devoted to helping him turn his life around.

These are just some of the reasons parents have been entrusting their sons to Liahona Academy rather than a military school in Massachusetts for over 15 years. Liahona Academy is located in southern Utah and combines accredited therapy and academics with healthy work and play. Each boy is individually coached on overcoming his challenges while learning to make healthier decisions in the future.

Get Your Teen The Help They Need

Your teenager doesn’t need to be punished, they need to be helped. A residential treatment facility that integrates rehabilitation with academic improvement, while addressing the underlying issues of behavior will give your teen the best possible chance at long term recovery. Let Liahona Academy help your child, and by extension the rest of your family. The professionals on staff know what you have been facing and are ready to intervene.

If You Live In A Massachusetts City, Your Teen Can Attend Liahona Academy

Boston, Salem, Lowell, Framinham, Manchester-by-the-Sea, New Bedford, Somerville, Worcester, Plymouth, Waltham, Newton, Quincy, Brockton, Fall River, Amherst, Brookline, Beverly, Taunton, Natick, Concord, Lawrence, Andover, Marlborough, Woburn, Haverhill, Gloucester, Weymouth.