A new report has brought to light allegations of abuse at Elevations Residential Treatment Center in Utah, a facility that is meant to treat teenagers with behavioral issues. Former students of the facility have described being restrained by staff, strip searched, isolated for extended periods, and witnessing other students engaging in self-harm. The troubled teen industry, of which Elevations is a part, operates with little oversight and has been the subject of numerous abuse allegations, including reported fatalities. In 2016, HuffPost reported on similar abuses at Elevations (then known as Island View), including over-medication, physical restraints, and solitary confinement.
State records show a continuing pattern of abuse at Elevations, with an increase in calls to police and numerous incidents of self-harm and physical restraints reported. Miranda Goodwill, a former student, recounted being restrained face-down by a staffer after throwing books at a wall in 2019. The incident resulted in Goodwill sustaining injuries, but she was pressured to lie about the cause of her injuries at the hospital. The lack of proper oversight and accountability within the troubled teen industry, as exemplified by Elevations, highlights the need for stronger regulations to protect vulnerable young people.
The state inspector’s 2014 report on Elevations highlighted the demeaning and threatening behavior of staff towards the youth in their care, as well as instances of staff using their authority to intimidate and belittle the students. This power dynamic, combined with inadequate training and supervision, has contributed to a culture of abuse and mistreatment at the facility. The high number of incidents of self-harm and physical restraints further underscore the urgent need for intervention to address the systemic issues within Elevations and similar treatment centers.
Former students like Stella Downey and Miranda Goodwill have spoken out about their traumas at Elevations, emphasizing the lasting impact of their experiences on their mental health and well-being. Stella described leaving the facility feeling worse than when she arrived, while Miranda recounted the physical injuries and emotional manipulation she endured during her time there. The long-lasting effects of abuse at residential treatment centers like Elevations highlight the importance of ensuring that young people receive appropriate and ethical care when seeking help for behavioral issues.
The response to the allegations of abuse at Elevations underscores the need for increased awareness and resources for mental health support, especially for young people in vulnerable situations. Organizations like Lifeline and dontcallthepolice.com provide important resources for individuals in crisis, while the International Association for Suicide Prevention offers support for those outside of the U.S. It is crucial that individuals who have experienced abuse at facilities like Elevations receive the help and support they need to heal from their traumas and advocate for accountability and reform within the troubled teen industry.
