When you’re the parent or guardian of a teen, your main goal is to provide them with the care and support they need to grow into the best version of themselves. And that’s not always easy. It can be especially difficult if your teen is struggling with their mental health, as they are confronted with emotional, mental and behavioral challenges that interfere with their growth and development.

If your teen has been diagnosed with a mental health condition, or you’ve started to recognize symptoms, it’s important that they receive the right treatment. For some teens, regular therapy sessions may be the best type of support. But for others, they may require a bit more intensive care, such as a youth Residential Treatment Center. But how do you know if it’s time for them to seek this level of care? That’s what we’re here to discuss.

We’ll discuss signs that your teen could benefit from being admitted into a youth Residential Treatment Center. We’ll also go over what to expect from Lightfully Teen’s Residential Treatment Center.

7 signs that a youth Residential Treatment Center is the right choice for your teen

A youth Residential Treatment Center is a level of care for adolescents who require 24/7 behavioral care. It provides a homelike environment where they can focus solely on moving along their mental health journey with therapy and programs.

It’s not always easy to make the choice of admitting your child into a treatment center. Even though you’re able to see them and be involved in their treatment, it means that they’re living away from home for a while. But it’s important to remember that giving them the right level of care now can make a significant difference for their mental health in the future.

Here are seven signs that your teen would benefit from a youth Residential Treatment Center (RTC):

1. Academic difficulties — Teens have many different aspects of their day-to-day lives, but school takes up quite a lot of it. When your teen is having consistent or worsening trouble in school due to their mental health challenges, it’s time to take further action. If they’re receiving low grades, skipping school or being disruptive in the classroom, then they require the right level of care to address the issues that are impacting their schoolwork. If the academic difficulties continue, it can affect their future opportunities.
2. Social struggles — Friends at any age play a pivotal role in a person’s overall quality of life. They provide support during difficult times and shared memories. If you recognize that your teen is distancing themselves from their friends or turning down social invitations, they are likely struggling with their mental health. While it’s common for many teens to be more shy and introverted than others, it’s still important to take note when they’re struggling socially.
3. Risky behavior — It’s almost a given that teens are going to break rules or “rebel” every once in a while. But when they start making dangerous or out-of-character decisions, it’s important to not brush off their behavior. Risky behavior, such as substance use, reckless driving and unsafe sex, can be a symptom of mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. If you don’t step in with an intensive care option, such as an RTC, their risky behavior may escalate.
4. Self-harm — Self-harm behavior is a sign that your teen needs intensive mental health treatment. Self-harm behavior means that they’re intentionally inflicting harm on themselves. This may involve cutting or burning their skin. If you can’t see the marks, wearing long sleeves in warm weather can also be a sign. Without addressing the behavior with the right treatment, self-harm can escalate to active suicidal ideation.
5. Discussing suicidal thoughts — Teens tend to say things like, “I’m just going to kill myself,” as a joke or in response to a minor inconvenience. But if they’re regularly expressing suicidal thoughts or they talk often about death or suicide, they would benefit from having the 24/7 care. Passive suicidal thoughts, meaning that there isn’t any intent or plans to kill themselves, can evolve into active suicidal thoughts.
6. Not responding to current treatment — A youth Residential Treatment Center is rarely the first step in a teen’s mental health journey. It’s likely that they’ve received treatment for their mental health condition before. Maybe they’ve tried outpatient therapy and medication for their symptoms. But if they aren’t showing improvement after an extended period of time of receiving treatment, it’s time to try a more intensive level.
7. Deteriorating family relationships — Mental health challenges in teens can strain family dynamics, leading to conflicts and communication issues. When a teen’s behavior starts significantly impacting family life, such as frequent arguments or causing stress that affects other family members, the teen may need a more structured and supportive environment to address these issues.

If your teen is a danger to themselves, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

Lightfully Teen has safe and effective youth Residential Treatment Centers

When you see signs that your teen would benefit from being admitted into a youth Residential Treatment Center, you want to make sure that you’re choosing the best option for them. At Lightfully Teen, our RTCs provide teens with structured routines through a personalized treatment plan. We’ll help them alleviate their mental health condition symptoms by learning how to manage them with the right skills and habits.

The Lightfully Teen Residential Treatment involves a variety of therapy dynamics. We also include Safe & Sound Emotion Regulation sessions, exposure-based outings, and on-site yoga. There is also time dedicated to working with certified teachers so that they can keep up with schoolwork.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step for your teen, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.