I’m a parent of a 13 year old that has suicidal thoughts and is dealing with perpetual severe stress and anxiety. She’s been kicked out of two private schools. We’re considering tbs including new leaf. Your site is eye opening. Thank you for your braveness. You seem to have also had some positive experiences at other programs. Can you share what programs they are. What is the probability that a good program will be helpful In the long term for the kid. My wife and I are struggling to do out best
Thank you so much for doing your research on programs! I can only imagine the amount of stress and helpless you and your wife might be feeling.
I had immense success at a residential program at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, WI. I truly believe it was life saving. What made that experience different than my time at NLA was there was actually treatment. The adults there (during my time there at least) are intelligent and good. I felt like everyone was respected, challenged, and supported. I believe they have other locations besides in Oconomowoc, I know there’s an outpatient program in Madison, and there are other branches throughout the country.
I had a friend that had great success at Timberline Knolls. It seems to be a reputable program to me.
I also had a positive experience at Menninger Clinic in Houston. It was there that I was diagnosed with PTSD, which was vital to my recovery.
I can imagine the sense of urgency you all must be feeling, and I know COVID creates a whole other dynamic. Here are some things I wish my parents knew/would do when I was admitted to programs that weren’t a good fit:
Visit regularly. Not only is it nice to see my family, I wanted them to see my surroundings regularly, for safety reasons. It can be easy to think someone’s exaggerating when they’re on the phone (and perhaps they are), but by keeping a list of what your child mentions/complains about, and making a point to look out for that when you visit, can be smart. I wanted my parents to still be engaged with the adults in charge of caring for me. I know they needed to rest but sometimes it felt like they just trusted other adults blindly.
Believe me and my experience. If a program is good, there will definitely be some discomfort - change doesn’t happen from staying comfortable. So while some reports/complaints might sound typical (and they might be!) it’s important not to write them all off as shock to being in a new program.
Your daughter is lucky to have parents that are engaged and value her health and quality of life. Being a teen with mental illness is the pits - being a teen in general can already be really rough! Sending you and your family comfort and strength - I know you’ll get through this!
