Every year, thousands of children are sent against their will – often ripped out of their beds in the middle of the night by strangers – to private facilities to be treated for various mental illnesses, addiction issues, and perceived behavioral problems. Due to inconsistencies in the definition of what a therapeutic program is and a lack of regulatory oversight, the exact number of these centers and children in them is not known but it is estimated that there is over 120,000+ children kept in over 5,000+ centers around the United States and abroad. This is collectively known as the “Troubled Teen Industry.”

In this episode Tammy interviews Meg Appelgate about this Industry and her personal experiences as a teen with being placed in such an institution. Meg is an author and CEO of Unsilenced, a grassroots organization dedicated to speaking out against institutionalized child abuse in the troubled teen and youth mental health industry (https://www.unsilenced.org/)

After being sexually assaulted and expelled from school for drinking at 15, For the next 17 years, Meg dedicated herself to non-profit work before eventually coming to the realization that she had been abused and brainwashed throughout her time in the troubled teen industry. She wrote about this account in her book "Becoming Unsilenced" which we discuss in this riveting episode.

One of our Favourite Christmas Gifts

As the holiday season approaches, we wanted to share some of my favorite gift ideas that have made a big impact in our family—Big Life Journal products! These award-winning, parent-recommended, and psychology-backed journals, affirmation cards, and conversation cards are designed to help children and teens build confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset.

Whether you're shopping for younger kids or teens, there are plenty of great options to choose from:

• Journals for Kids & Teens: Help them discover the power of a growth mindset with fun, engaging activities and inspiring stories.
• Conversation & Affirmation Cards: Perfect for sparking meaningful family conversations and boosting daily positivity.

Big Life Journal products are highly recommended by psychologists and therapists and have been loved by families around the world for their ability to encourage personal growth in children and teens. If you're looking for meaningful, confidence-building gifts this holiday season, these products are a fantastic choice!

Shop Now: https://biglifejournal.com/?aff=2206

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