News Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified mental health challenges for many families, including the Sanders family. After a harrowing experience where Jax went missing, her mother, Jill Sanders, sought residential treatment options, highlighting the growing need for mental health support in crisis times. Despite facing stigma and emotional turmoil, the family’s journey underscores the importance of access to quality mental health care amidst the ongoing crisis.
City: Asheville, North Carolina
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health across the nation, leading many families to seek help for their loved ones. One such family, led by Jill Sanders, faced a turning point when her daughter Jax’s emotional struggles escalated, culminating in a terrifying incident where Jax went missing for three days. This critical moment spurred Sanders to explore residential treatment options, despite her long-held belief that she would never send her child away for help.
Over the past few years, the mental health crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, has driven a surge in demand for residential treatment facilities. Parents often find themselves navigating complex emotions and uncertainties when seeking help for their children’s mental well-being. Sanders, like many parents, struggled with feelings of isolation due to the stigma associated with mental health issues. The journey is often fraught with fear and uncertainty, especially in the face of societal perceptions regarding seeking residential assistance.
After much research and joining support groups, Sanders decided that her daughter required professional care. Jax’s journey led her to attend three different residential treatment programs, including Asheville Academy, which has since closed following serious allegations of abuse and neglect after tragic incidents involving two students who died by suicide.
The Residential Treatment Experience
Initially, Jax attended a different treatment facility where her experience was unsettling. She felt distressed being around older teens and reached out to her mother in a state of panic. After just eight weeks, Sanders removed Jax from that facility, feeling that their needs were not being adequately met and the system had failed them.
In contrast, Jax’s time at Asheville Academy was markedly different. According to Sanders, her daughter reported feeling safe and supported during her stay, which happened to be one of the more positive experiences for Jax. Although the facility has drawn scrutiny after allegations emerged regarding the treatment of students, Sanders believes that the support Jax received there played a crucial role in her recovery.
Jax graduated from residential treatment on March 27, showcasing marked improvements in her overall mental health. During her time at Asheville Academy, she not only learned essential life skills, such as caring for animals and engaged in activities like singing, but she also began to address underlying issues related to her mental health. Despite experiencing some instances of self-harm during her stay, Sanders emphasized that the staff responded supportively, providing Jax with the necessary care and attention.
Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health
The ongoing mental health crisis, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the importance of access to quality treatment facilities. Many families, like the Sanders, have found themselves in positions where they must seek support outside their homes. In Sanders’ case, the challenges posed by the pandemic deepened her daughter’s emotional struggles, pushing them towards making difficult decisions about treatment.
While Sanders acknowledges the serious issues surrounding Asheville Academy, including an investigation by North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services that found evidence of abuse and neglect, she maintains that her daughter’s experience there was positive overall. Sanders understands the concerns expressed by former students but remains grateful for the transformative support Jax received.
As parents continue to navigate mental health challenges amid the pandemic, Sanders’ story sheds light on the complexities families face when seeking help for their children. She expressed grief for friends of her daughter who have faced severe struggles but remains thankful for Jax’s successful journey through treatment and the positive changes it has brought about in her life.
The journey to mental wellness can be turbulent and often riddled with doubt, but the Sanders’ experience underscores the importance of seeking help and advocating for necessary support in the face of adversity.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Asheville Academy Closes After Student Suicides
Asheville Academy Announces Voluntary Closure Amid Scrutiny
Asheville Academy Announces Voluntary Closure Amid Tragedies
Asheville Academy Announces Voluntary Closure Following Tragedies
Asheville Academy Closes After Student Suicides
Asheville Academy Closes Following Student Suicides
Asheville Academy Closes Following Tragic Student Suicides
Closure of Asheville Academy Following Tragic Suicides
Investigation Launched Following Tragic Suicides at Asheville Academy
Investigation Launched into Asheville Academy After Suicides
Additional Resources
- Business Observer: Mental Health Texting Service Extends Reach
- Charlotte Observer: Local Mental Health News
- Axios: Not Just a Smile Mental Health Party Nonprofit
- Fox 47 News: Mental Health Walk Event
- Wikipedia: Mental Health
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
