COVID-19 has brought a lot of new challenges to the table for people of all ages, from anxiety, depression to feelings of isolation. At Trails Carolina, the focus has been on supporting teens facing big battles due to pandemic struggles.
Every teen needs slightly different treatment and therapy, but those severely affected by the pandemic may benefit from a program like Trails Carolina. They’ve been able to help teens build the skills to stay strong during this time by improving their mental health and overall quality of life. The benefits are there for all, from brand new students to those already enrolled.
Providing a Supportive Environment
A typical school may have a few adult teachers who recognize mental health issues or sudden student changes, but that may not be their primary focus. In contrast, every staff member in a wilderness therapy program is knowledgeable on these warning signs.
Even the best traditional schools providing a solid safety net for students could no longer fulfill those duties during the height of COVID-19. Teenagers did not have the same type of help, and being trapped with concerns at home made things challenging for their mental health.
Trails Carolina wilderness therapy provides a supportive environment for teenagers dealing with COVID-19-related struggles or any other behavioral challenges. Licensed professionals help identify issues and develop the necessary skills to overcome these challenges while at the program.
Reducing Long-Term Effects of the Pandemic
Even though COVID-19 seems to be never-ending at times, there may be a point where it is in the past. If and when that time comes, teenagers will have a chance to look back and see that they built up resilience and strength when navigating the most challenging situations. It makes the following challenge seem more manageable, boosting confidence and mental health during trials that may lay ahead.
Trails Carolina wilderness therapy helps reduce one of the parents’ biggest fears for their growing child. Teenagers may be in the middle of their formative years, missing out on months if not years of interaction and instruction through socializing. This issue is minimized when enrolling at Trails Carolina.
Since the Trails Carolina Wilderness Program has stayed open during the toughest of times, teenagers haven’t been without that growth time. They’ve worked hard to minimize any negative impact.
Teaching Transferable Skills
Trails Carolina Wilderness Program offers a variety of transferable skills that are meant for students to go home with and benefit from for years to come. During the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to develop these transferable skills. Teens can go home with positive qualities that impact their confidence, emotional resilience, mental health, and communication skills.
The pandemic has only stalled the growth of these positive qualities in standard educational settings. Without a school to attend and to deal with many restrictions due to the pandemic, struggling teens find it much harder to have breakthroughs. With the Trails Carolina wilderness experience, it’s much easier to lock in and achieve success.
Helping Families Cope Through The Pandemic
One benefit of spending more time at home has been the heightened awareness of addiction and mental health issues. Trails Carolina wilderness therapy program has received additional inquiries during the pandemic, which gives families an opportunity to square things away before their young adults go off on their own.
Some teenagers will need the Trails Carolina wilderness program, while others will need other types of therapy. It all depends on where they are with their mental health and what is best for them.
Stress has frustrated those who already likely needed some assistance with their mental health. When a global pandemic hits, there is an increased likelihood of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, mental health issues, and more. Being locked in with family and not having the standard flexibility of a typical teenager sometimes makes it that much worse. Getting a chance to learn and receive therapy with a new family away from home could act as the perfect change during a trying time.
Returning to Normal
Trails Carolina and other similar programs are returning to normal slowly but surely. It’s been a long process since the spring of 2020.
Some students haven’t enrolled yet, but are still affected by pandemic-related issues. COVID-19 will play a role in therapy at Trails Carolina for years to come, as this generation of teenagers tries to make sense of everything. All the program can do is adapt and treat every student with the individualized care they’ve been known for over the years.
For more information on Trails Carolina, visit their website trailscarolina.com. They have resources for teenagers currently in the program and those looking to apply for the first time.
