Director seeks location for Lækjarbakka treatment center in Iceland amid community reluctance

The director of Lækjarbakka treatment center is urgently seeking a suitable location for the facility, noting that there appears to be a reluctance among the public to have youth treatment options nearby, despite a recognition of the need for such services. The center caters to teenagers aged 14 to 18 who struggle with severe behavioral issues when other interventions have failed.

Dögg, the director, observes that while people express concern for the youth, there is also an apprehension towards them. She states, “There is some fear about this, and understandably so; people tend to fear what they might not understand.” Nonetheless, she believes that incidents involving the youth at the facility are rare, except perhaps when law enforcement is present.

Dögg raises the question of where the facility should be located, pointing out that an ideal site should not be secluded from essential services, which makes it difficult to staff the center with knowledgeable personnel. She also questions the community about where these struggling young people should go, emphasizing that society often does not want them to “take up space” or “belong.”

Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic about finding an appropriate location, stating, “I have maintained hope that something will come together in this process. We’ve seen some signs of progress, though obstacles have arisen.”