abcnews.go.com
North Carolina Girls' School Closes Following Two Suicides
Asheville Academy, a North Carolina residential treatment school for girls, closed after two students died by suicide within a month, prompting a state investigation that began May 8th and led to a cease-and-desist order on May 27th, prohibiting new admissions.
- What immediate actions are being taken to address the systemic issues contributing to the deaths of students at Asheville Academy and similar facilities?
- Asheville Academy, a residential treatment school for girls in Weaverville, North Carolina, closed after two students died by suicide within a month. A state investigation into the school's practices began May 8th, leading to a cease-and-desist order on May 27th, prohibiting new student admissions.
- What long-term reforms are necessary within the residential treatment industry to prevent future tragedies, and what role should regulatory bodies play in ensuring accountability and safety?
- The tragedy highlights the urgent need for enhanced oversight and improved safety protocols within residential treatment facilities for troubled youth. Future investigations should focus on identifying and addressing systemic vulnerabilities that may exist across similar facilities to prevent further incidents. The lack of transparency surrounding the investigation's findings underscores the necessity for greater accountability.
- What were the specific findings of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' investigation into Asheville Academy, and how did these findings contribute to the school's closure?
- The school's closure follows a pattern; the owner's previous boys' program, Trails Carolina, was shut down after a similar incident. Both schools, owned by Family Help & Wellness in Oregon, faced investigations concerning harm, abuse, and neglect of students. This raises concerns about systemic issues within the organization.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and initial paragraphs emphasize the deaths and closure of the academy, setting a negative tone. The focus on the negative consequences overshadows any potential discussion of the school's prior achievements or the challenges faced in providing care for vulnerable young people. This prioritization might unduly influence public perception of residential treatment programs.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but terms like "tragedy" and "heartbroken" contribute to an emotional tone. While understandable given the subject, these terms could be replaced with more neutral phrasing, such as "deaths" and "sorrow" to maintain greater objectivity. The repeated references to the girls' deaths could also be perceived as sensationalizing the events.
Bias by Omission
The article omits specific details about the state investigation into Asheville Academy, including the findings and the nature of the problems identified by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This lack of detail prevents readers from forming a complete understanding of the reasons behind the school's closure and the extent of the issues. The article also doesn't provide information on the support systems in place for the girls after they were released from the academy.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic narrative focusing on the deaths and subsequent closure, without exploring the broader context of residential treatment for troubled youth or alternative solutions. While the negative aspects are highlighted, the potential benefits of such programs or the complexities of the issues faced by the girls are not discussed.
Gender Bias
The article focuses exclusively on girls, reflecting the nature of the school. However, this focus might unintentionally reinforce the stereotype that girls are disproportionately at risk for mental health issues, neglecting to acknowledge the complexities and challenges faced by boys in similar situations. The article could benefit from explicitly mentioning the broader societal challenges influencing such outcomes.
Sustainable Development Goals
The closure of Asheville Academy, a residential treatment school for girls, due to deaths of two students and a state investigation into potential harm, abuse, and neglect, negatively impacts the quality of education and mental health support for vulnerable girls. The incident highlights failures in providing a safe and supportive learning environment, crucial for quality education and well-being.