Are you looking for West Virginia troubled teen programs? The transition from childhood to adolescence can be a difficult process for teenagers and their families, especially in a world increasingly characterized by uncertainty. As teens shed the blinders of innocence, their child-like innocence is often replaced with attempts to keep up with or be similar to friends. This is a time when many people struggle to find their identities.
Naturally, as a parent or guardian, you want to be able to shield your teen from the troubles of the world; but that, unfortunately, isn’t a possibility. We, at Solstice East, in North Carolina, are eager to help you and your teens during the obstacles that evolve from this transition. Are you interested in seeking a treatment program or do you need to find out whether or not your teen requires therapeutic help? Below is a guide outlining the general characteristics of a troubled teen. Statistics pertaining to the likelihood of youth in West Virginia of being categorized as troubled are also listed. We conclude by identifying available programs to assist your adolescent, such as those offered at the Solstice East Residential Treatment Center in North Carolina.
West Virginia Troubled Teen Programs
Who are troubled teens?
Typically, a troubled teenager is one who has experienced trauma, a major loss, or who is unable to develop and maintain attachments with others. Troubled youth are not the teens experiencing a bad day, having difficulty finding a social group in which they feel comfortable, or struggling to decide what type of clothes they want to wear. The list below provides an overview of common symptoms exhibited by teens who have experienced a physically traumatic event:
- Triggers: The teen is triggered into reliving the traumatic event by visual associations, nightmares, flashbacks, or spontaneous retrieval of the memories of the event.
- Avoidance: In a strong effort to not relive the traumatic experience, troubled teens may distance themselves from any person, place, thing, or memory with which they may associate the event. This can include avoiding other people, losing interest in normal activities, feeling emotionally numb, and forgetting specifics of the event.
- Being on edge: Your teen may be in a continual state of stress or “fight or flight”—the body’s innate reaction to the presence of fear. Someone in a perpetual state of “fight or flight” appears to be extremely agitated and easily frightened, and they may overreact to simple stimuli, feel an impending sense of doom, or have difficulty concentrating (Harvard Medical School, 2006).
In addition to physical trauma, losing a loved one with whom they shared a deep attachment to may cause the teen to be troubled. In this instance, loss does not strictly mean that the loved one has passed away. Instead, it is defined more broadly to include people who have moved away, or a drastic situational change that has transformed the relationship between loved one and teen (in a way that the teen perceives as negative or difficult). Examples such as an older sibling going off to college, getting married, or joining the military can result in shifting family dynamics. These monumental changes can affect the mental health of younger siblings.
Lastly, substance abuse or addictions can indicate trouble for a teen. Drugs alter the chemistry of the body, affecting the way one thinks. Addictions or addictive behavior shifts the focus of life and can hinder teens from developing healthy habits, routines, and relationships. Remember, substance abuse or addictions harms the families of the user as well, so it is important to identify the effects and consider the needs of everyone involved.



Troubled Teen Programs
How many teens are affected in West Virginia?
Now that you are better informed as to the likely causes and symptoms of troubled teens, let us turn to some statistics relating to mental health issues among West Virginia youth. Although living in West Virginia does not directly correlate with behavioral shifts, local culture and community are important considerations in the evaluation process. Below are state-wide statistics for West Virginia, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018), listed in comparison to the national average:
- +3.22% chance your high school student felt hopeless every day for at least two weeks straight and they stopped doing some usual activities
- +7.69% chance of your 12-17-year-old having had at least one major episode of depression within the last year
- +28.57% chance your high school adolescent has tried to commit suicide within the last year
- +5.88% chance your high school student, during the last year, seriously contemplated suicide
- +200% chance your teen attempted suicide, failed, and had to be treated by a nurse or doctor due to the injuries, poisoning, or overdose caused by the attempt
These statistics are included to shed light on common behavioral patterns exhibited by troubled teens. If your teen is not currently exhibiting signs of trouble, it is important to consider that close friends of theirs may be. Your teen, therefore, may be preoccupied with concealing that information in an effort to maintain the privacy of their friends.



Troubled Teen Programs West Virginia
Next steps
The information above is not intended to cause fear or alarm. It is to provide you, as the parent or guardian, with the necessary information to better understand and support your teen. The first step on the path to recovery is to please speak with your teen and ensure that their privacy is protected. If you believe that they could be troubled to the point of needing additional assistance, reach out to a counselor, therapist, or medical health professional for more information or a diagnosis. If diagnosed with trauma, loss or attachment issues, or an addictive behavior is identified, consider Solstice East as an excellent residential treatment program.
About Solstice East
Located in nearby North Carolina, numerous troubled girls ages 14-17 have successfully undergone our treatment program, conducted by our fully licensed staff. At Solstice East, we support your daughter in regaining her confidence, reconnecting with the world through healthy relationships with herself and others, and empowering her with the resources to lead a happy and healthy life. Recognizing that people need effective support systems to thrive, our experienced staff also work with families to help them communicate with the teen.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2006, March). First aid for emotional trauma. In Harvard Mental Health Letter. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/First_aid_for_emotional_trauma
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2018, November). West Virginia Adolescent Mental Health Facts. In Office of Adolescent Health. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/facts-and-stats/national-and-state-data-sheets/adolescent-mental-health-fact-sheets/west-virginia/index.html