Show Me the Evidence

Posted on 08/04/2010 | 3 Comments

So I was just reading an interesting piece called “Protecting Teens in Crisis: Constructive Oversight of Programs”, in which a number of significant concerns were raised about what is called the “struggling teen industry”. Put bluntly, it seems that there are a number of institutions (mostly in the USA as far as I can tell) that may be or may have been involved in a number of non-therapeutic or perhaps even abusive practices, all in the name of “therapy” or “treatment”. Indeed one of the phrases used in the piece was “stories of mistreatment, abuse and even death…”

Wow. Shocking.

An American professor is quoted as saying that these concerns need to be addressed using state regulations and licensing. This makes sense for sure. I am personally astonished that such a regulatory framework is not apparently in place. How could “treatment” settings operate without oversight and standards of care?

However, this is not enough. Not by a long shot. Reading about some of what passed as “treatment” makes me shudder. It sounds brutal and harmful, not therapeutic and helpful. So, where do people who offer these “treatments” (whatever they are) dream them up? Who has studied these so called “treatments” and what have they found? Are these interventions helpful? Are they useful? Do they work? Are they safe?

In short, what is the scientific evidence for the so called treatments being used? And here, let me be very clear. We need strong, hard scientific evidence. This not the same thing as “best” evidence. “Best” evidence can be what someone thinks is a good idea shared with some other people who think it’s a good idea. It may even be a well-intentioned idea. But, the road to hell is paved with good intentions (as the saying goes).

So – bottom line. Show me the evidence.

--Stan

What people are saying?

ZiZu said...

teenagers are still vulnerable, that is where the importance of parental role.

Comment made on August 05th, 2010

Amega Global said...

I really appreciate your opinions and concerns expressed here. I think that often these issues are overlooked by the general public and you are drawing a very valid point in your question.

I have seen first hand how depression works in people that I’ve known and from my experience, a lot of what helps is not anything the medical community has to offer. It’s having relationships with people that help to keep those people motivated to continue on. I guess relationships like that are hard to come by these days though!

Comment made on August 05th, 2010

Shira said...

Hi Stan,

Should the U.S. take a page from Canada’s book? If Canada has a “struggling teen industry”, what sort of protections and regulatory framework is in place? I am curious as it sounds like there are fewer abuses and I am wondering what Canada may be doing that could work here in the U.S.

Comment made on August 05th, 2010

What do you think?

Name

Email (only we will see this)

Remember my information Notify me of follow-up comments?

Thoughts

Please enter the word you see in the image below: