When left untreated, mental health conditions can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide. Untreated mental health disorders can be very expensive for families, communities, and the health care system. Teens in rural areas in particular face many challenges for which there are not enough resources available. They face problems such as: isolation, loneliness, and poor access to transportation, increased economic conflict, unemployment, poor housing, divorced families, and a lack of specialized mental health services (Weiss, Battagilia, and Epstein, n.d). Teens often turn toward risk taking behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse as well as sexual activity when they have no other way to deal with their problems (Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2003).

Providing a help center for these teens is one way to try and help the youth in these areas. The teen center would be beneficial by providing opportunities for mental...
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