Is my child considered to be an "at-risk-youth"?  If so, where can I find help in Washington?

At what point do "risk factors", in combination, put children of Washington at an increased risk for harming themselves (at risk youth), and slowly become what we call "troubled teens". We do know that "known risk factors" do exist, and they tend to occur in clusters.  Meaning, we can predict the teens who are "at risk" to become troubled teenagers.  A troubled teenager is a boy or girl who is making personal choices that are detrimental to their present situation, and if these behaviors persist, they could damage their future.  For example, substance abuse and sexual promiscuity.  Another example is "school drop out".  When a child is abusing drugs, is sexually active with multiple partners, and has dropped out of school, there is a very high likelihood that this teen will end up dependent upon the government (welfare), jobless, homeless, or in jail.

Depression or other mood disorders are probably the most significant--and most common--risk factors that predict "troubled teen" behavior.  Teens dealing with depression are considered to be "at-risk-youth". Studies estimate some 20% of the U.S. adolescent population has some type of emotional problem, and depression affects as many as three-quarters of a million  troubled teens at any given time. But mood disorders in adolescents are easy to miss. When surveyed, 90% of parents believed they would recognize depression in their own children, but, according to SAMHSA, only 20% - 40% of depressed youth are ever diagnosed and treated. Substance abuse has been linked to increased suicide risk in teens.  We have help for your at risk youth.    We are here to serve you and your struggling teen. 

We offer hope and help for at-risk youth from Washington

Whether in school, at home or with peers, youth are bombarded by negative cultural influences, peer pressure and often challenging life circumstances that include poverty, homelessness, foster care, lack of parental involvement, domestic violence in the home, bullying and harassment at school or experience with juvenile detention. Some kids prove resilient; others do not (we vall them at-risk-youth). We do know that kids who are connected to caring adults, engaged in school and have productive roles at home, in organizations or the community at large have strengths or "assets" that help to insulate them from pressures and influences that prove destructive. In contrast, kids who find themselves hopeless, depressed and disconnected from others can turn to increasingly harmful and risky behavior.

Advice Quotes:  "Perhaps one of the only positive pieces of advice that I was ever given was that supplied by an old courtier who observed: Only two rules really count. Never miss an opportunity to relieve yourself; never miss a chance to sit down and rest your feet."  King Edward VIII

Mindful Quotes:  "You shall always find what you created in your mind, for instance, a benevolent God or an evil Devil. Between them are countless facets. Therefore, concentrate on the depth of your consciousness and on what you consider to be positive and good."  Hans Bender