| Would a “scared straight” program be just as effective in assisting with mental health issues as therapy?

Would a “scared straight” program be just as effective in assisting with mental health issues as therapy?

redcarpetden asked:


Say, take a person that’s dealing with mental health issues or perhaps involved in self destructive behaviors and get them involved in a “scared straight” program. If such programs are able to assist in the rehabilitation of youths involved in unlawful behavior who would otherwise have been headed for jail, would this type of program help the mental health of those dealing with sexual abuse, depression, etc,…?

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Comments

5 Responses to “Would a “scared straight” program be just as effective in assisting with mental health issues as therapy?”

  1. oceanlady580 on March 22nd, 2009 9:23 pm

    you are more like insisting if you walk up behind someone and say BOO it will snap them out of depression it dont work that way the only thing that is effective is antidepressants/counceling

  2. flowerpet56 on March 23rd, 2009 1:39 pm

    some would be helped, others will not be helped. It all depends upon how much one sees the reward to change one’s behavior.

  3. Don M on March 26th, 2009 1:50 pm

    It’s important to separate mental health issues here into behaviors that are simply maladaptive and can be treated with therapy (whatever kind) — some of which could be classified as “behavioral disorders”, and a second type of issue that are truly biologically based mental illnesses, no different from influenza or herpes or hepatitis A, but which affect the brain. This class of problems will NOT generally respond to simple reward / punishment treatment regimes, but to find out for certain you should consult with a clinical psychiatrist with appropriate board certifications and so on.

    This second type is not treatable with just therapy as far as i know. I’m not qualified to dispense clinical advice, but I have worked at a mental hospital and trust me, there are some people you will NEVER reach with therapy.

    Good luck with whatever it is you are trying to do… but you may benefit from a deeper understanding of mental and behavioral disorders. Visit your local county mental health office and pick up some literature so that you can truly understand who your program might help… because there are some it will actually HURT if you are not well informed.

  4. MGoodrich on March 28th, 2009 6:34 am

    no, ’scared straight’ isn’t therapy, it’s a disciplinary program. I think victims of sexual abuse and depression are scared enough as it is.

  5. Salma on March 29th, 2009 12:04 am

    Would people like live in fear? No, i guess not… so go for the counseling… talking it out usually helps rather than scaring…