Efforts underway to find housing for Lækjarbakka treatment center in Iceland

Efforts are underway to find suitable housing for the Lækjarbakka treatment center, which caters to young individuals aged 14 to 18 facing serious behavioral issues when other interventions fail. The director of the facility, Dögg, has reported a growing reluctance among the local community to have treatment resources for youth nearby, despite a general acknowledgment of their necessity.

Dögg notes that while there is apprehension about the young residents, it also seems people harbor fear of the youths themselves. “There is some fear surrounding this, and understandably so, as people tend to fear what they do not know,” she commented. However, she maintains that incidents at the facility are infrequent and that they have a capable staff trained to handle such situations.

A key concern is the location of the center, especially in areas far from services and resources, making it challenging to staff the operation with qualified personnel. Dögg questions where the youths should be placed, suggesting that the community often does not want them around. Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic about finding appropriate housing for the treatment center. “I have held onto the belief that something will change. We have encountered certain obstacles, but I remain hopeful,” she concluded.