Identifying and Helping At-Risk Youth Find Effective Treatment
The term at-risk youth is used often when discussing a young person who seems to be in a difficult position in life. But what does it mean? What is an at-risk youth and how can teens in this position be helped effectively?
This page will aim to answer some of these important questions. Knowing what to watch for, including certain risk behaviors and the adverse outcomes that may follow, will help you better care for and protect a young person in your life who may be going down a dangerous path.
If you determine that professional treatment is necessary, Artemis Adolescent Healing Center is ready to help. Give us a call today to talk about the situation and learn more about the services that we can provide.
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A Clear Definition of Youth At Risk
The term at-risk youth typically refers to young people who are between the ages of 12 and 18 and are at an increased risk of negative life outcomes. A teen can be considered at risk for a variety of reasons, which we will discuss in more detail below.
It does need to be clearly stated that a young person being at risk does not mean they are doomed to failure or a difficult adult life. That is certainly not the case. It simply means that certain risk factors exist and it’s important to pay close attention to the teen in the years to come in order to help them stay on track.
Supporting foundational pieces like academic success and other positive activities will go a long way toward keeping an at risk youth in a position to transition successfully to adult life.
Common Risk Factors for Youth
So, what are the risk factors that could lead to poor academic performance and other negative outcomes? Let’s walk through a few of the main categories below.
Family and Home Environment
This is a big one. Teens need to be supported at home, and when they aren’t, the risk of outcomes like substance abuse and other serious problems goes way up.
Some teens are the victims of domestic violence within the home. Others are simply neglected by their parents, or are dealing with something like a divorce or another type of family disruption.
Poverty is another type of family life challenge that can put a young person at risk. When instability exists in terms of housing or food, the teen will have a lot to deal with and may struggle to stay focused on positive things like extracurricular activities or maintaining healthy friendships.
School-Related Factors
Problems at school can also put a teen at risk. Often, but not always, these issues are tied to trouble at home. For example, if a teen isn’t getting support at home and isn’t encouraged to focus on schoolwork, they may fall behind and struggle to ever catch up.
Regularly missing school is a big red flag when considering whether a teen is at risk. There is almost no way to properly keep up with schoolwork and maintain good grades when not physically present in the classroom day after day. If a child has a learning disability, that factor will even further put them at risk for leaving school entirely.
The pressures that come from other students at school can also be a negative factor. If others at school are using illegal substances or binge drinking, peer pressure can come into the picture and put a young person at risk.
Behavioral Problems and Emotional Indicators
Family members can also watch for behavioral problems and other emotional indicators of trouble in these early years. An at risk youth may regularly be defiant or oppositional, even about relatively minor things. They might not take social responsibility seriously, frequently dropping the ball and ignoring the needs or wants of others.
You might also notice signs of particularly low self-esteem. There may be indications of a desire to do self harm. Teens who are at risk often become isolated from their peers and spend more and more time alone.
Community and Environmental Factors
The environment that exists around young people says a lot about their risks in life. We already talked about family instability, but being exposed to aggressive behavior and things like gang activity or violence in the community is also troublesome. There may be pressure to take part in these activities. Also, living in an area with higher rates of crime could leave the teen feeling like that’s just a natural way of life.
Warning Signs of At-Risk Youth
Watching for warning signs in a teen in your life can allow you to step in and try to help before things get out of hand. Young minds can be swayed and reoriented, so it’s certainly not too late. Even if academic achievement has dropped off and some behavioral issues have appeared, things can always be turned around.
Dramatic Behavioral Changes in a Young Person
Pay attention to sudden and dramatic changes in behavior. If a child who used to be friendly and happy is suddenly angry or just generally sad, that’s a concerning sign that warrants a closer inspection.
Slipping Academic Performance
Also, a young person who used to be a good student starting to get poor grades is worrisome.
It’s not so much the grades themselves as it is what they represent and say about how the teen’s life is going at this time.
Adopting High Risk Behaviors
Some warning signs will be particularly obvious and direct. If you notice indications that a teen is using drugs or alcohol, that needs to be addressed immediately. The same goes for risky behaviors like unprotected sex or criminal activity.
Turning the tide on activities that could lead to lifelong consequences is the necessary step to take to protect a teen from themselves.
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Protective Factors That Can Help Youth At Risk
Let’s look at things from the opposite perspective in this section. What is it that can help keep a teen on the right track and away from the many negative outcomes that are possible?
The first and most important factor is having a healthy, stable relationship with at least one caring adult. If you are in a position to play that role for a teen in your life, you have the opportunity to impact them for the better in a dramatic way. Having an adult who is supportive, understanding, and steady does so much for a young person.
It’s also helpful to be deeply involved in school or athletic activities. Being part of a club at school, or being on a team, can motivate the young person to stay on track and push back against the negative temptations that may exist in other areas.
This kind of participation often provides a sense of hope and meaning to each day. It can also foster positive relationships and build social connections that don’t have anything to do with things like drugs or alcohol.
The Role of Mental Health Issues for At-Risk Youth
The presence of a mental health condition can also place a teen at risk. Many different mental health issues can impact adolescence and make it harder to stay on track for positive outcomes later in life. This list includes depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and more.
Of course, simply having one of these conditions doesn’t mean that a teen will be unable to build a safe and healthy life. However, receiving treatment is important to mitigate the harm that they can cause. Untreated mental health conditions are far more likely to do damage than those that are under control through the use of treatments like therapy or medication.
Getting professional help right away with mental health challenges is an important step. That kind of help will be able to identify the problem, establish a course of action for treatment, and stabilize the teen’s day-to-day life.
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Start Now for Early Intervention and Effective Support Options
It’s always best to start as quickly as possible when trying to help young people. They are in an important and vulnerable stage of life, and every little bit of help they receive can make a huge difference.
The supportive environment we offer at Artemis is the perfect place to deal with the kinds of challenges that so many young people today face. The first step is to talk with our admissions team about the struggles your loved one is facing and what services might be suitable for their treatment.
Reach out confidentially now and let’s get started.