Accountability is crucial, but it’s simply false to claim that professionals in this field aren’t pushing for regulation. Advocates within mental health have already driven significant progress—raising standards, shutting down unethical programs, and implementing reforms that protect vulnerable populations. Just look at the healthcare landscape 20 years ago compared to today. The changes we now take for granted exist because of front-line heroes who were fighting for accountability long before documentaries highlighted these issues.

To villainize these advocates now, rather than celebrate their hard-won successes and support their ongoing work, doesn’t bring us closer to solutions—it moves us further away. Many of the strongest voices for reform and accountability have always come from within the field itself, led by people who genuinely care about child welfare. Ignoring or discrediting their efforts undermines the very progress we all want to see. If we’re serious about real solutions, let’s recognize and support the advocates who are already making them happen.

For example, the Joint Commission only investigated reports for incidents that happened in the LAST YEAR. If you are in one of these facilities, how are you going to report your abuse? They can take your phone away, they can drug you, they can assign behavioral consequences for speaking up… surely anyone would recognize the obvious opportunities for bad actors? Access to “troubled” teenagers that aren’t going to believed if they are sexually assaulted by a staff member – and there aren’t any requirements for the qualifications of the “behavior” techs.

It seems that the directors of these facilities are more interested in keeping the gravy train running than helping kids though.