I want to runaway but im scared...

[Unregistered]

I've been planning to runaway from home for awhile and i have a plan and all i just have to get the courage to leave. I don't wan't my mother to send the cops looking for me because im 17 and i only feel 7. My mother keeps me locked up and i don't get to go out much. Im basically the made and babysitter at home, and when Im left alone i get questioned about everything i do. I have no privacy. The only time i have it is if im sleep or if im at school. When i runaway i know where im going, the place im living, and who im staying with. I just want to be happy and live my life instead of sitting at home constantly upset and depressed.

[ccsmod10]

RE: I want to run away but im scared...

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We understand that it must be difficult for you to have this much responsibility and feel like you have no time for yourself. It seems like you have established a plan but not comfortable enough to leave just yet. If you feel that you do not have the courage to leave, some things to take into consideration may be picturing what your household would look like if you left. We want you to feel confident in the decision you make and feel safe while doing so. Have you tried talking with your mom about how she makes you feel? Is family counseling an option? If you want to talk more about this, please call us so that we can help you work through this difficult time. We’re 24/7 so you can call us at any time. We wish you the best of luck.

[katster]

Hey,

Running away can be a terrifying decision. As a youth, we all experience feelings of anger, hate, confusion and sometimes even feelings of not belonging. These feelings are completely acceptable; everything you are feeling is okay. Talking to your Mom maybe be the solution to a healthy relationship, communication is really important in any relationships you have, family or not. It may also be worth your time to speak to a counselor at school or a teacher that you trust, about how you are feeling. Often, teachers and counselors, are able to provide insight as they have probably met your Mom and understand the combination of personalities in the home. Don't be scared to say how you feel.

If you do make the decision to run, ensure that you are fully capable of caring for yourself and your needs. Do not go with anyone you do not trust. The only person you have to answer to about your decisions is yourself. Be prideful in who you are, but do not be impulsive.

I hope you can work it all out. Many teenagers, myself included, have been in your position.

Wishing you well.

[ccsmod7]

Re:

Hello Katster -

Thank you so much for your words of support. Sometimes it really helps to know that others have dealt with similar situations and that you are not alone. We appreciate you posting and sharing your thoughts and concerns. Take care.

[Unregistered]

Running away

I been wanting to run away ever since I was 9 but I can't get the courage and the reason I want to is because every one is always teaming up on me and I'm watching the baby the second I get home then I go right to chores I don't get time to relax and I can't even sleep in because there always wanting me to wake up really early to make the baby breakfast because she always wakes up early and my parents are up but they just don't want to do it

[ccsmod7]

Re: Running away

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. It sounds like your parents put a lot of responsibility on you. It must be really stressful having to take care of the baby in addition to everything else you have going on. It’s good that you are reaching out for help.

If you left home without permission, your parents could file a runaway report with the police. If are reported as a runaway it’s typically just a status offense; however, sometimes people helping runaways are at risk for charges such as harboring a runaway or crossing state lines with a minor. These charges are often just misdemeanors, but might be something to explore if you or whoever you would be staying with are concerned.

There's definitely a lot to think about when running, like who you would stay with, how you would get there, how you would enroll in school, and how you would pay for things. We are happy to discuss with you some safe options specific to your situation if you decide to call or chat with us.

We hope this information is helpful.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

I have been wanting to run away for a very long time because my brother expects me to do all the cleaning in the house and when I don't he hurts me. My sister instagater fights so I will get in trouble for something she did and she blames everything on me. My mom is completely unfair to me and always makes me tell her things I don't want to, like why I am crying or something like that. I have even considered suicide but I have a best friend and a boyfriend I love dearly. I just don't have the courage to run away because the cops would be involved and I would get into serious trouble.

[ccsmod16]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now. It sounds like you’re fearing that the situation may end in suicide if things don’t change. Your safety and well-being is important. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org is also a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.

Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but you are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.

If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

i wanna runaway a tiny bit of me feels like i'm suicidal. i want to but i love my parents. i don't know what to do. i don't wanna call a stupid number, i just want help.

[ccsmod10]

Hi there,

It sounds like you’re going through a lot right now, so we’re glad you’re reaching out to us because we are here to help. You mentioned that you feel suicidal and that you don’t want to call a number. To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) has a number that you can text. You can text TWLOHA to 741-741. They offer free, 24/7 support from a trained counselor that can chat with you whenever you’re having suicidal thoughts.

You also mentioned wanting to run away. We aren’t legal experts, but we do know that while running away is not illegal, but it is considered a status offense. That means that your parents could file a runaway report and any one that takes you in could be charged with ‘harboring a runaway.’ Have you thought about where you would be staying once you left home? Also, have you talked to your parents about wanting to leave home? Having parental permission could help avoid any legal matters that might come from running away.
We know that you don’t want to call a number, but if that ever changes we are available to talk 24/7 at 1-800-786-2929. We could talk about your situation, what makes you want to leave home, and talk through some more options concerning running away.

Be well, NRS

[Guest]

I love my mom but hate my step dad. Ever since they got married it seemed like the loving and understanding mom is slowly going away. I want to run away because she hates my friends, saying that i hang around guys too much. Im a girl but i feel like girls always bring drama. Im very comfortable with my friends but my mom always has a problem. Also my grades arent that great cuz of my depression and sadness lately but she doesnt understand whats going on in my head. I want to just go be happy like i used to be. This place no longer feels like home

[ccsmod5]

Thanks so much for your message. It sounds like you’re having a really difficult time at home and it’s brave of you to reach out.

It sounds like you are having a hard time connecting with your mom since she married your stepdad. It must be frustrating to feel like your mom doesn’t understand what’s going on inside your head. You might consider reaching out to a therapist or a guidance counselor to help you both communicate with one another and share how you’ve been feeling. Here at NRS, we also have a conference call service; if you are interested, one of our trained liners can facilitate a call between you and your mom, as well as advocate for you and your needs.

You mention that you’ve been struggling with depression and sadness lately and that it’s been impacting your grades. Please know that you are not alone and that you deserve to feel happy in your home. While you’re going through this, you might consider letting your guidance counselor know what’s going on; sometimes teachers might be understanding and willing to compromise with you to get your grades up again. Again, you might consider confiding in a guidance counselor or a therapist. A great resource for locating a therapist in your area is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 1-877-726-4727. Another resource is the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can be helpful for people experiencing depression: 1-800-273-8255.

Thanks so much for writing in. If you ever need to talk, our hotline is 24/7. Our number is 1-800-786-2929. We know it takes a lot of courage to ask for help, and you deserve to feel heard and loved. Best of luck to you.
-NRS

[Guest]

i want to run away but im scared im getting abused punched in the face and they hit me in the face with a coffee mug because i talked out of turn in school i have people who will take me but it takes them 3 hours to get here

[ccsmod10]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a bit about your situation.

From what you included in your email, you mentioned that you’re experiencing physical abuse at home. It’s understandable that you’re wanting to get away from that environment. Home should always be a safe place for you to be, abuse is never okay and you don’t deserve that treatment. You are always able to report the abuse that you’re going through to CPS or staff at school. You’re not alone in this, we are here to help, and there are other organizations here to help as well. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with someone you trust, as far as transferring custody.

If you feel like getting out of the house is the best option and you decide to run away, we can help find runaway/youth shelters in your area, so you can stay safe. Don’t hesitate to call into our safeline so we can connect you with those resources. We’re not legal experts, but as far as we know you can’t be arrested for running away. If you tell the police that you’re being hurt at home they won’t return you home without investigating first

We hope our response is helpful. Also, talking to school counselors and teachers about what’s going on at home could provide you with great support. You are not alone in this. You are always welcome to call into our 24/7 crisis center if you'd like to talk more about your situation.

Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

I want to run away but I don't have the courage I need to build my confidence to do it I don't know where I am going what I am doing for food or anything pretty much but I am planning on just taking what I can from home then bringing money to help me through all I need know is courage

[ccsmod5]

Hey, there,
Thank you for reaching out. It can be a difficult decision to leave home. It sounds like you’re uncertain about the details of where you’re going or how you might support yourself. If you ever need help safety planning, you can give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat feature on our website. We’re here to listen and help you find resources 24/7. Hope to hear from you soon. Stay safe!
Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to run away. Or just leave my parents some other way. I can tell that they hate me. Even if they don’t say anything. I feel like they are fed up with me being around. Plus I always make matters worse, so I don’t know whether I should stay at home anymore. You don’t have to answer me, there are probably a lot more other people who need a reply from you guys much more than I do.

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It takes great courage to reach out for help and we are glad that you decided to reach out for help.
It sounds like you are going through a lot of stress at home that is making you think about leaving home. Talking to other family members or friends can be helpful in many situations. Running away can be hard in many situations. It can be helpful to think about where you might stay, how you might pay for food, and other living expenses. Being out on the street can be unsafe in many situations. While we are not legal experts speaking generally if you are to leave home without your parents’ permission the police can bring you back home and whoever you are staying with could be charged with harboring a runaway. It sounds like this has been effecting your mood. It can be helpful in many situation to talk to a therapist. You can contact your school counselor or SAMHSA at 1-877-726-4727.
If it might be an option for you, you can also call us at our 24 hour confidential hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) and we would be happy to listen to you, explore your options and provide any resources.
We wish you the best and hope to hear from you soon.
Best
NRS

[Guest]

Hello.
I am 17 years old and a girl .I have been planning to escape or runaway since i was 6.Yeah.Things have not been good for me since forever. Not saying there haven't been any happy moments but i never felt that the house i live in is my home or the people i live with are my family.Although i love them all and i have been making sacrifices for them since i was a kid.I did all i could for them.Bit it's never enough.I get blamed, i don't have a life of my own.I am like a machine who 'll do whatever you say but i want this to change.So my mother asked me to do medical , currently m doing fsc but i don't want to do it.Its not that i never tried talking to her.I did , thousands of times but she won't listen.She always blackmails me whenever i tell her that i don't want to do it.I know she thinks the best for me but i also know that she asked me to do fsc so that my brother and sister can have a better life.Isnt that unfair.I have been depressed since as long as i can remember. It's like i contemplate suicide all the time but i know thats not the right path.I shouldn't die simply because i don't have a goodlife.But i want a life for myself for oncw i want to do something for myself. At this age i have so much responsibilities on my shoulder. I am scared to disappoint anyone but like that i am being unfair with myself. I think for once i deserve to be happy. I want to study arts
I am good in it and ik ill be more successful in it but my mother simply won't listen.Half of my family thinks that i am insane . All i 've ever asked for is a simple life.I don't care about luxuries .Do i have decided to runaway , i ce been planning it since last year. and i think i am ready .But i am scared ...i cannot gather the courage to do it. I know that i have to do this because i don't have a future here and I'll end up going in depression .Its like i am being tortured mentally.

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS feels it might be best to call or chat about your situation. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

I've always wanted to run away. My parents have always had their thumb down on me, my dad's always been verbally abusive, and it hasn't been getting any better since I got into some trouble at school. I'm trying to build up the courage to run but I don't know how or what to do. If I try to talk to my parents about it they just make me feel like an idiot.