It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: not knowing where your child is and if they are safe. Teens who engage in runaway behavior put themselves at risk and their families in turmoil. In this post, we’ll explore the reasons behind teen runaway behavior and discuss effective strategies to address it, including the option of therapeutic boarding schools.

Why Teens Run Away

Before we delve into solutions, it’s important to understand reasons why teens might choose to run away:

Conflict at home

Frequent arguments with parents or siblings can drive teens to seek escape. Rather than deal with constant conflict, teens may choose to leave the environment.

Mental health issues

Depression, anxiety, or other untreated mental health problems may contribute to runaway behavior. Teens may feel like they need to escape their current environment in order to escape their underlying mental health issues.

Substance abuse

Teens struggling with drug or alcohol addiction might run away to avoid confrontation or to continue their habit in a place where parents cannot disrupt them.

Peer pressure

Sometimes friends or romantic partners can influence teens to make impulsive decisions and leave home in search of adventure or romance.

Identity struggles

Teens grappling with their sexual orientation or gender identity might feel misunderstood at home and feel that leaving home is their only option.

Abuse or neglect

In some cases, teens may be escaping a genuinely harmful home environment.

Addressing the Root Causes of Runaway Behavior

To effectively deal with runaway behavior, parents must take steps to identify and address the underlying issues. Here are some guidelines to use in addressing runaway behavior with your teen:

  • Create a safe space for your teen to express their feelings and concerns without judgment. The more comfortable your teen feels with discussing difficult topics, the more likely they are to share genuine thoughts and feelings rather than parroting what they think you want to hear.
  • Consider professional counseling or therapy to improve family dynamics and communication. Therapy may be helpful for all family members, not just the runaway teen.
  • Continue to establish consistent rules and consequences while allowing for age-appropriate independence.
  • Pay attention to your teen’s friendships and romantic relationships. Their peer group has a significant influence on their thinking and decision making. If you have concerns about their friend group, don’t be afraid to speak up.
  • Reassure your teen that your love and support are constant, regardless of their struggles. However, your love for them does not remove consequences for negative behavior.

The Role of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your teen is not in a place where the above guidelines are able to help them. When traditional approaches are inadequate, therapeutic boarding schools can help parents dealing with a teen’s runaway behavior. Therapeutic boarding schools provide a safe environment for learning while addressing underlying root causes.

How a Therapeutic Boarding School Can Help Your Teen

Controlled environment

Therapeutic boarding schools provide a safe, structured setting that minimizes the opportunity for runaway behavior. Students are monitored around the clock for their personal safety and that of other students.

Addressing Mental Health Issues

Because runaway behavior is often caused by underlying mental health issues, a therapeutic boarding school provides an ideal environment to address mental health issues, trauma, and behavioral problems.

Educational Progress

Runaway teens miss school and fall behind their grade, adding to the severity of the situation. At a therapeutic boarding school, students catch up on missed schoolwork and develop better study habits. With a smaller class size and an understanding, supportive environment, students often make faster progress in school than they otherwise would.

Life Skills and Strategies

Therapeutic boarding schools help students develop skills and strategies that help facilitate the transition back to their home environment successfully. Armed with new skills and coping strategies, students can more successfully navigate their home environment without resorting to the destructive behaviors from before.

Making the Decision for Your Runaway Teen

Sending your child to a therapeutic boarding school is a significant step for them and for you as a parent. While it may feel difficult, having a runaway child is difficult, too. Choosing a therapeutic boarding school for your teen demonstrates that you place their safety and well-being first above all else.

Many parents find that the structured environment and professional support provided by these schools can be transformative for both the teen and the family as a whole. Therapeutic boarding schools offer a chance for your teen to develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve their academic performance, and build stronger relationships. The skills and insights gained during their time at the school can lay the foundation for a more stable and successful future.

If you need help for a runaway teen, or for a teenager with other serious issues, contact Telos today. We can help answer your questions and provide more in-depth information on our programs, facilities, and resources. We look forward to helping you and your teenager with your challenges.