According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five US adults experiences mental illness each year, and one in 20 experiences serious mental illness each year.
One in six American youth between the ages of 6 and 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 percent by age 24. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10–14.
As we reported on this blog in September, nearly a third of US adolescents received mental health treatment in 2023—that’s around 8.3 million young people between the ages of 12 and 17 getting counseling, medication, or another treatment. This marks a 7.8 percent increase from the 7.7 million adolescents who received mental health treatment the year before.
This May, you can take action, raise your voice, and help change the conversation around mental health! Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a driving force in addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions.
SHARE YOUR STORY
This year’s theme is “In Every Story, There’s Strength.” Mental health journeys are personal, but the strength found within them is relevant for all people. “In Every Story, There’s Strength” highlights the resilience and diverse experiences that shape mental health experiences within our community.
Whether by sharing your story, spreading awareness, or advocating for change, every action helps break the stigma and build a more supportive world for people with mental health conditions.
Mental health issues should not be ignored. Taking action for your mental well-being or getting help for a loved one can make a lasting difference. This Mental Health Awareness Month, explore the resources that can help you or your child build resilience, manage challenges, and thrive.
TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING
Turning Winds offers a long-term residential treatment center for teenagers that fills the gaps left by other treatment options. A meaningful transformation takes time. Most of our teenage clients stay about a year, and the results are often dramatic. So dramatic that many of our alumni are happy to share their stories.
Joshua is a recent alumnus of Turning Winds. In one of our podcasts, he explained how working on himself turned his life around. “As a kid, I had a lot of trouble with defiance and just general disrespect toward my parents. I was very rebellious and did not want to do what my parents told me to. So, I was doing stupid stuff and being irresponsible.”
Alumnus Adrian came to Turning Winds when he was thirteen. Trauma and neglect had permeated his childhood. “I grew up in a home where my parents were taking drugs,” he remembers. “I was given my first drink when I was seven. That’s when my grandma decided to pick me up to get full custody of me and my sisters. At twelve, I started smoking and other stuff. It just spiraled out of control from there.”
As is the case with many of our teenage clients, it took a while for Adrian to buy into the treatment approach. “I arrived in Montana and thought it was just a little vacation from home.” At first, Adrian didn’t realize he was expected to stay a whole year, but then he started to thrive academically. “I always got a lot of help at school,” he says.
Parents who are dealing with a mental health crisis in their family often face difficult decisions. James and Amy Turner were no exceptions. After many hours of meticulous research, they decided on Turning Winds as the best option for their 15-year-old son. Turning Winds admissions director Eric Loesch “helped us coordinate everything. Jim Jr. didn’t have to come home first from the mental hospital and my husband flew him straight to Montana,” says Amy.
CHANGE THAT LASTS
Justin went to Turning Winds 14 years ago but is still eager to give back and help current clients move forward. “This program changed my life for the better. I was going down a really dark path. God knows where it might have taken me. My early days were a lot of work, trying to get myself into the program to see what it was all about, how I was doing mentally, and how I could change that.”
It took several weeks before Justin “put his foot down” and decided that he wanted to make use of the treatment offered to him and take its tools with him into the next phase of his life.
These are just a few of the healing journeys that took place at Turning Winds. Our model of care centers on therapeutic support in a setting that resembles the family environment clients will return to. Healthy behaviors are practiced and reinforced in a safe environment. Our clinical services combine the best elements of care from wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, and inpatient treatment to create a one-of-a-kind residential treatment center.
Our alumni are always part of the Turning Winds family. We celebrate their successes, provide support during challenges, and offer opportunities for them to stay connected with the community they’ve helped to build. This enduring bond is a testament to the lasting impact of the Turning Winds experience.
Are you seeking a transformative solution for your teen’s challenges? Contact us online for more information, or call us at 800-845-1380. If your call isn’t answered in person, someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please note that to protect the privacy of our clients, their names have been changed.
