Teen Stories: Numbing Reality

When teens spiral out — experimenting with drugs, running with the wrong crowd or shutting out family — there’s almost always a deeper hurt they’re trying to escape. On today’s show, we share Mark's interviews with two Heartlight residents who bravely discussed how their choices were just attempts to numb what they felt inside, like abandonment, overwhelming expectations and tragic loss. Both teens worked hard to face the pain they once pushed away. Listen as they unpack the pressure to be "perfect," the loneliness that fueled their mistakes and how facing their emotions at Heartlight helped them reconnect with their families — and themselves.Could Heartlight help your struggling teen? Learn more at heartlightministries.org