If you are considering sending your troubled teenager to a military school, chances are good that you’ve already tried quite a few things which haven’t helped. Military school can be a great choice for the right kind of young person, but a military school isn’t really the same thing as a school for troubled teenagers. You may have a lot of questions about programs that could help your troubled teen. How long does a military school last? Is it a good choice for my child? Is there such a thing as a military school for troubled teens?
Learning more about the options you may wish to consider can help empower you as a parent to make the best choice for your family. Contact Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211 to see how we can help.
What Is a Military School and Can One Help a Troubled Teen?
Traditional military schools offer a combination of military training and academic education, often in an environment that uses strict military discipline. There are schools affiliated with actual military branches, religious military schools, and schools that specifically cater to more at-risk youth. Usually, military schools take four or five years to complete, much like a college prep school.
Most traditional military schools do not have the resources or support to accept teenagers that are dealing with serious mental or behavioural health issues. For those students, it is often better to look into residential or boarding schools that specifically accept young people with those needs. Some students, however, may find that they do well in a more disciplined, physically active environment, especially if they are struggling to succeed in a more traditional educational setting.
What Can a Residential Program for Troubled Teens Offer That a Military School Can’t?
Military schools are, as mentioned before, not usually the right setting for a teenager who is dealing with mental health or behavioural problems. Often, highly disruptive students will either not be accepted in the first place or be asked to leave the school. A residential school that specifically caters to students with special behavioural or mental health needs can offer a variety of services that your average military school does not. Some of these are:
- Appropriate mental and behavioural health assessments done by trained professionals
- Access to treatments and counselling that are designed to help teenagers learn to manage their own mental health and behavioural conditions
- Compassionate, individualized treatment plans that facilitate personal growth and recovery
- Varying levels of care so that each teenager can thrive in the right environment for their particular situation
- A disciplined, safe environment that is not punitive but rather therapeutic
How to Find the Right Program for Your Teenager
The best way to find a program that fits your family’s needs is to speak to professionals in the field of mental and behavioural health care that specialise in adolescents. It is important to do your own research as well as listen to suggestions from others, such as case workers or therapists. It is also important to understand your child’s specific conditions and the best types of treatment for them. Most programs are happy to speak to parents who are investigating their options, so don’t hesitate to call or reach out by email.
Venture Academy Offers an Alternative to Military School for Troubled Teens
At our treatment centres across Canada, we offer a range of programming to fit our clients’ individual needs. Our staff of highly trained and experienced clinicians can help your teenager learn to understand and manage their behaviour, recover from trauma, and grow into healthier adults. If your teenager has been struggling, reach out to our kind and compassionate staff today at 866.762.2211.
