Our family has experienced first hand the stark reality of life when a child spirals out of control. My son, is currently struggling, leading to a series of painful encounters with the law. We sought help far and wide, but there were simply not enough resources to assist us in our quest to provide him the support he needed. 

In the United States, it is an unfortunate truth that the support available for troubled teens and their families is insufficient. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, signaling a critical need for early interventions and support systems (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020).

However, many families hit a wall when trying to access these services due to a lack of funding and resources. This needs to change, for the sake of our children and the future of our society. Comprehensive, accessible, and inadequate resourced programs for troubled teens not only help these young individuals get their lives back on track, but they also have ripple effects throughout our communities – reducing crime, boosting educational attainment, and increasing employability.

Thus, we call upon our local, state, and national lawmakers to prioritize and increase funding and infrastructure for programs that support troubled teens and their families. Prompt action is not just a matter of policy, but a necessity for families like ours, craving for help and guidance. Please, sign this petition to demand a world where no family has to face this battle alone.