How to Find Help for Troubled Teens in Virginia

At the best of times it is difficult to be a teen, a time of intense physiological transformation, brain development and hormonal changes. Throw mental illness, learning disabilities, addictions or behavioral problems into the mix, and it is harder still. According to the National Center for Mental Health Checkups, over 112,000 Virginia teens were identified as having a debilitating mental illness in 2008. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death to adolescents in the state. Whether you are a parent of a troubled adolescent, a concerned teacher or other community figure or a teenager trying to seek help for yourself, Virginia has several helpful services you can access today.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your local Community Service Board, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to be advised on services to help you or your teen regarding troubles related to mental illness, substance abuse or intellectual disabilities. The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services website lists the hotline numbers for these types of services by county.

• 2

  Call 2-1-1 from 8:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, to anonymously find out about available health and community services available in your area. If you need immediate help, like if someone is at risk of harming herself or someone else, call 9-1-1.

• 3

  Go to or call an emergency shelter if you are a teen who needs immediate protection. For example, Virginia Beach has the Seton Youth Shelters, for youth up to 18 years old. Contact the girl's shelter at 757-306-1840 and the boy's shelter at 757-498-4673. If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area, contact the Youth Emergency Shelter at 2250 Pump Rd. by dialing 804-740-7322.

• 4

  Perform online searches by typing keywords such as "troubled youth programs ___ Virginia," "troubled youth schools ___ Virginia" or "troubled youth camps ___ Virginia." Fill in the blank with your town, city or county name. Searches may yield programs such as The Discovery School of Virginia, a school in the Piedmont area for teens with behavioral, emotional or learning disabilities, or the Bridges Treatment Center in Lynchburg, a residential treatment facility for youth with mental illness, learning disabilities and intellectual delays.