The abuse in detention centers is a problem that is hardly spoken about, and it creates a lot of trauma and long-lasting effects on mental health for the youth that have lived through that after their release.
Speaking about the issue, knowing the right way to support them, and getting them
familiarized with the resources available for support and their legal rights are essential for recovery and healing.
Below, you’ll find some important facts plus guides to the mental health resources that can help (troubled) youth in their healing process.
The Dreadful Impact of Abuse on Youth Mental Health
Youth in the juvenile justice system have a high score of living through trauma before they were in detention centers. (Around 80% by the study of the American Psychological
Association). The mental health problems they are already facing because of that can just extend and become more serious after being abused in the center as well.
The most common problems in mental health consequences are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Trust Issues
And while these issues might seem ‘light’ to the common eye, they are actually instrumental in carving and molding the rest of a person’s life. In order to get them back on track, both parties must first recognize the existence of the problem and then find a way of dealing with it.
5 Available Mental Health Resources
Getting the vulnerable youth familiarized with all the mental health resources is crucial for the beginning of recovery.
It is of great importance for youth to have the right support network and to get the help they need in the right places.
1. Therapeutic Counseling Services
There are many organizations that are non-profit, and they offer completely free sessions for abused youth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Reprocessing are some trauma-informed therapies that are really effective for youth who are going through PTSD.
2. Support Groups and Peer Counseling
Isolation from society is a common side-effect of trauma. With the right support group and counseling, abused youth can create a safe surrounding and share experiences, which is also very desirable for recovery.
The National Alliance of Mental Illness is a great program that offers groups focused on
youth and peer support services.
3. Legal Guidance from a Youth Detention Abuse Lawyer
Legal support and guidance can be crucial for pursuing justice and, first of all, for the healing process. A youth detention abuse lawyer can help navigate the legal process and ensure the compensation funds for the victim.
Also, a lawyer can take the weight of the client, meaning that he can focus on his healing without worrying about legal issues.
4. Educational Programs
Involving again in society can be a very challenging task for formerly abused youth, but with educational programs, transition can be easier.
There are groups and organizations that collaborate with schools, and they provide great mentorship and support. That means a lot for the youth to focus on the positive aspects of their lives and to look forward to the future.
5. Hotlines and Immediate Crisis Support
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) and numerous crisis hotlines offer crucial 24/7 support for young people who are dealing with acute mental health crises.
If you’re dealing with problems you think you can not overcome, don’t hesitate to call and ask for support and any help you might need.
6 Important Statistics About Abused Youth
- In the Juvenile justice system, approximately 70% of youth have been diagnosed with at least one mental health condition. The most common are anxiety, depression, and PTSD, often left untreated during and after detention, leading to bad outcomes (National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice – NCMHJJ).
- Youth engaged in educational programs are 43% less likely to re-offend, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Such programs not only boost educational attainment but also ease the transition back into society, aiding in long-term recovery.
- Youth without access to mental health treatment are more likely to re-offend. A report from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) shows that mental health treatment significantly reduces recidivism, emphasizing the need for accessible resources for detained youth.
- Among detained youth, Untreated mental health disorders are costly. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that these costs exceed $247 billion annually, including healthcare, incarceration, and productivity losses.
- More than 50% of youth with mental health conditions do not receive needed treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI advocates for trauma-informed care, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to address youth mental health.
- Peer support programs can reduce feelings of isolation by up to 60%, as per Mental Health America (MHA). These programs are vital for formerly detained youth, fostering recovery through shared experiences.
Conclusion
Abuse in youth detention centers is a serious problem that is affecting a large number of our future generations. Serious mental health issues can cause fatal outcomes if the abused young people don’t get the support they desperately need.
Knowing all support resources available and legal rights can help those young people heal and overcome their trauma.
Leave a Reply