I want to run away but have no where to go

[Guest]

Hi, I’m 12 years old and I am deciding to runaway. The reason I want to is because it might sound stupid, but it’s for my mothers protection. I have been having trouble with my eating and I don’t eat that much and my mom told me yesterday that she would just give up and runaway or worse if I don’t start eating like I used to and so that day I ate some stuff like McDonald’s and pizza and I literally felt like I was gonna die. I threw up so that my stomach would feel better and I’ve been trying to eat normal, but I just can’t anymore. I have worked really hard to be skinny and I feel so bloated and feel like all I have done to get skinny is being washed down the drain. My mom told me that if I don’t eat normal, then I’d be taking there mother from my two sisters. I can’t go back to how I was eating. I don’t want to runaway, but I can’t stay if all I am is going to made to eat this food and eat how they want me to eat. I enjoy eating the food, but the after affect is horrible and I cry because I know how hard it was for me to get here and I’m just throwing it all away for 2 pieces of pizza or a cupcake. I just can’t and thus be the reason I’m running away. So Any tips for me?

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like your mom has made you feel like if you do not start eating, she could lose custody of you and your sisters. That sounds like such a heavy burden to bare, and we truly want to help inform you so you can make the decision that is best for you.

Generally speaking, if there is food in your house and you are refusing to eat, that is not considered neglect by child protective services, and they would not remove your mom, your sisters, or you from the house in that situation. It seems like your mom might be thinking that you experiencing these feelings is the same thing as neglecting your basic needs for food, but just so you know, that is not the same thing.

It sounds like you are worried about eating, because of how food makes you feel and because you are wanting to stay skinny. Your feelings are valid, and you deserve to be supported when you are struggling to be able to eat without feeling so bad. If you haven't already, you might check out NEDA's website: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders....ting-disorders to explore information on eating disorders. If you read through it and think that you are experiencing those feelings, you might try to talk to your mom or a supportive adult about it. If you have an eating disorder, there is treatment and support out there for you and you should not have to runaway in order to address how you are feeling, you know? There is always hope for you.

If you do run, please know that we are here for you. We can look for runaway shelters for you to go to if you have nowhere to go, and we can brainstorm your options with you to try and keep you safe. Your safety is our number 1 priority. Please call or chat us so we can best help: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

i want to run away but i dont know where to go!

I am 12 years old and i wat to run away. it is not like other people stories. it is becuase of my dad. he is CRAZY he almost tried to punch me one time and i am a girl. he gas grabbed me by the back of my neck. and i got in trouble in school today and i am scared that when i go home he will really hurt me... beucase when mmy dad gets mad he dosent think about what he is doing. so i am scared. please answer back

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to help. It sounds like you are going through a really difficult time right now. You do not deserve to be treated like that, that is not acceptable. What you are describing sounds like abuse, if you would like to make an abuse report you can call The Child Helpline at: 1800-422-4453. We know that sometimes making abuse reports can be scary if you would like our help you can call us and we would be able to help make an abuse report on your behalf. Another option you could consider is talking to a school counselor or teacher about what you are going through, sometimes talking to a professional can help you feel better and they may be able to provide you with resources. You mentioned being scared in your home, if you ever feel in danger please call 911.
You also mentioned running away, we are not legal experts but we do have general knowledge of the laws. If you were to run away from home as a minor your parents do have the right to file a runaway report. If the police did find you they would most likely bring you back home. If you do decide to runaway some things to think about may be where you would go, what you would do about food and water, and what you would do if you found yourself in a dangerous situation. If you need help looking for a safe place or shelter please give us a call.
We hope this information was helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore your options more please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I am so sick of life right now and I’ve been planning to run away. So basically I am having loads of problems at home. I feel so pathetic because I know people are going through much worse in their family but I just can’t handle it anymore. My parents are very strict and controlling and even though they say it’s just because they love me and want to protect me it gets me so frustrated because they are so blind to the world around them, I cry myself to sleep every night because they are always lashing out and shouting at me for things which are their fault. Dad treats my mom sometimes like a slave and their relationship really confuses me because my mom is starting to doubt her relationship and I can see it. From the outside people say we look like the perfect family but they don’t know anything. I am in grade 5/ year 6 and I try to do well on school because school is like my escape but I feel like I need to hide my real depression because no one will understand. I have been coming up with ideas to get away from home and I have attempted suicide about twice. I really want to run away but I don’t know where to go. I think my dream will be to be put in a foster family. Even if it’s kind of crappy and they don’t fully pay attention or care about me I’m ok. And if I run away it’s not like it will be simple. They will find me and I’m scared of how things will be after that. I just can’t live like this for any longer.

.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I am so sick of life right now...

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

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 are trying to decide what to do about leaving home or staying but have some questions. Though we can understand being frustrated by a situation it’s good that you are taking your time in making a decision. Running away will most likely effect what you are used to in order to survive. Some things to consider when thinking about running away are where you will stay? How will you eat? How do you keep yourself safe? Basically the question you might ask of yourself is: Will running away make my situation better or worse?
One that might help during a difficult time is by making a check list to see if you have done all that you can to resolve whatever conflict you might be having about something or someone. Next is to examine how you have attempted to do this. Consider what the best form of communication is to get across your feelings about the situation.
It is also important that you remember to exercise self- care.

We would like to be of assistance to you if we can. It is times like these that it would be nice to have a listening ear.
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 is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. 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 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

my mom just was hitting me my brother tried to stop her but then she choked him and told him to shut I have lived with this abuse all my life should i run

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension and where your safety is not a guarantee. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do.

Your mother's actions raises concern for you and your brother's safety and well-being. Absolutely no one deserves to be abused. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it. If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering. It may also be a good idea to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody. You can also talk to any trusted school employee (teacher, counselor, etc.) to talk to them about the abuse and ask for help filing a report.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to run away things are unfair and i dont get to go out much

[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. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. 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).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to run away from the foster home I am in.im 15, I know there are many resources that can come from where I'm at, I can get money, I can get bus passes, I can get an I.D.. I jut am sick of this cycle that I'm in. My foster mom makes me feel like ******** and it's not enough to be able to leave. This house puts me through depression and I've cut and attempted to kill myself, I want an adrenaline rush, I miss the lire I used to have. And I don't want to age out in this house considering my parents have no rights to me. So I wanna run... suggestions??

[ccsmod6]

Hi,

Sorry to hear things aren’t going well with your foster mom.

There are certainly resources that are available to you.

If things with your foster mom are unbearable, you might want to talk to your social worker or a teacher/mentor at school. They might be able to help mediate a conversation between you and her.

If you’re still considering hurting yourself, you might want to consider calling the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255. If you’re looking for some additional mental health services, you could call SAMHSA (1-877-726-4727) or the National Alliance on Mental Health (1-800-950-NAMI).

When kids are thinking of running away, we always recommend that you have a safety plan. Think about how you would answer questions like where you would sleep, how you would eat, and how you would handle yourself in a dangerous situation. Running away can be stressful, so it’s important to plan for different scenarios.

If you want to talk to us any more about what’s going on, you can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re open 24x7.

Best of luck.

[Guest]

I'm a 5th grader in Illinois, and I get bullied at school, I wanna die, and I'm a ugly freak. My dad consistently grounds me and it can be for no reason. Why did the golf ball fall or why are you not cleaning your room because your doing homework? I have several thoughts of killing myself and also about running away. I only don't because I would miss my mom and my little brother and I won't have anywhere to go. I get bullied at school about my scar on my face that is like a tiny scratch! I have a condition called water bumps that causes me to get bumps all over my body and I have asthma. On top of that, I'm really short! People in my grade call me Umpa Loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Please help me! No DCFS bull-crap!

[ccsmod2]

Thank you so much for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline, we are always here to listen and to help. You’re taking a great first step by reaching out for help with your situation. It sounds like you’re dealing with a lot of stress, between being bullied at school and your father’s strictness, it makes sense why you would be feeling the way you are. It must be very frustrating to feel like you cannot communicate properly with your dad or set sensible expectations, and being teased at school over things you cannot control is unfair treatment you do not deserve. It sounds like it might help to have someone to chat with on a more regular basis about the stressors you’re facing and how to cope with them. It’s great that you have your mother and little brother for support, but it sounds like additional support might be beneficial. Perhaps reaching out to your school counselor would be helpful? Or perhaps a trusted teacher or adult that you could confide in, or a good friend. If none of those ideas sound like options, it might be worth looking into seeing a counselor. Unfortunately we are not able to provide resources through forum posts, but if you call us or chat with us via messenger through our website, we can help explore additional options for you. Our website is www.1800runaway.org, and our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Please chat or call us at any time, we are here to help!

[Guest]

I want to run away. I want to leave this place I’m in. My mother has a boyfriend who i hate. He yells at us (my sister and I) all the time. He breaks things. He has an awful temper. My mother doesn’t care. All she cares about is him. I have audio recordings of him screaming, yelling, and insulting us. I’m 17 years old. It’s April. My birthday is in September. I can’t stay here any longer. I have no place to go except for my cousin’s but she doesn’t want to risk getting charged and going to jail. If I stay here, I’m going to end up hurting myself or worse just to get out of here. I can’t be in this place. He’s emotionally abusive. He threatens to break my phone all the time. Last night, he said he was going to break me. He broke the door to my room. We don’t have a doorknob because he says we don’t deserve privacy. He listens to our conversations through the door. I went to get some water last night after he had yelled at us, and he was peeking through the door knob hole. He’s overall creepy and abusive. I can’t do it anymore. We’ve lived with him for 2 years. He’s threatened to kick us out so many times. Happened last night. Today he is acting like everything is normal and okay. I don’t want to be here anymore. I need to leave.

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for telling us your story and reaching out. It can be difficult telling others what has happened to you. It sounds like you are going through a very difficult time right now but you don’t have to do it alone. We want you to know that no one deserves to be emotionally abused, and you should not have to go through that. If you haven’t already, you could consider reporting the abuse you’ve been experiencing. If you want more information about abuse reporting or if you want to file a report, you could call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453. If your mom or mom’s boyfriends threatens to kick you out the house this is considered neglect and something you can report to Child Protective Services. If you are in need of any shelter resources or need any additional emotional support we can provide you with resources in your area.

We’re not legal experts here at NRS. Generally it’s not illegal to leave home, but your parents could file a runaway report, the police could get involved, and they could bring you home. The people you’re staying with could potentially get in trouble for harboring a minor. Some police departments don’t accept runaway reports for 17 year olds, but the policies may vary by each department. You could consider calling your local non-emergency police department to ask about their policies. We also have legal aid resources here if you have specific questions about the laws in your state.

If you don’t feel safe and feel like you need to get away Nationalsafeplace.org provides a safe location for you to meet a staff member who can take you to a designated place where you can discuss all options about how to stay safe. You can text 44357 the word “safe,” and your location to find a safe location in your area. Once you arrive let someone who works there know you need help connecting with a staff member.

Your safety is important to us and we want you to know that you can always call the police right away if you feel you may be a harm to yourself or others. We’re sorry you feel so sad and are going through such a difficult situation with your mom at this time. You’re not alone in feeling very angry with your mother. Although it may feel like it right now, and you may be really frustrated, your life is important and your matter. If you think there’s any chance you might hurt yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800.273.8255 or 911 to talk to someone right away.

One service we can offer is to conference call with your parents. This way you could have a conversation with your parents but you would not be alone. For example, it may be hard for you to explain to your mom how you feel about how she and her boyfriend are treating you and your sister. Sometimes those conversations go better in a conference call because we can advocate for you. If you want to reach us, you can chat with us anytime at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re here 24/7, and we are ready to listen and help however we can.

Wish you the best and a happy birthday in September

-NRS.

[Guest]

Hi I’m your age to and I feel like running away because my mom also abuses me like you and when she gets mad at work she takes it out on me and I have an older sister and she joins in with my mom they kind of bully me and I get scared when I get close to her when she’s mad and I’m scared to run away because she will find me somehow and it will turn out worse for me I have a friend who says she will him eme but I’m not to sure if her mom is ok with it and I have a n iPhone so it’s easy to track me. As I’m writing this I’m trying to not cry because if my mom comes in and sees my crying she will hit me with a cable so I know what your going through

[ccsmod9]

Thank you for your response to another user’s post. Often forums are a place of support and understanding for many youth. It often may be validating and helpful for users to read similar situations as well as exchange feedback to one another. For anyone experiencing any difficulties or challenges, the National Runaway Safeline encourages youth to reach out to our 24/7 crisis support line either by phone or chat for immediate services.
Thank you, NRS

[Guest]

I have recently think about running away from home, everytime every single time I try to talk or joke around or just prove my point to my parents they will or cut me out and tell me to shut up, or will just threaten me, I really hate it they tell me that I'm just a wanna be and that I'm nothing compared to an adult so they don't care about my opinions, and the worst part they let my sisters get away with their wrong doings, I'm just feeling not well with them and I wanna runaway Maybe for a couple of days my mom/grandma she keeps calling me worthless. I hate it she says that she wants to slap me or send me with 4th my real mom which she is abusive, she says I'm crazy. Please just help me I wanna get out of here please I beg you!.

[ccsmod7]

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. Sounds like you are told some really hurtful things at home, and it's so understandable that being treated like that is taking a toll on you. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.

If you haven't already, you might try to talk to your mom/grandma about how her words make you feel. If you would like assistance with mediating that difficult conversation, we have a conference call service if you call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. It can be a safe space to get your feelings across without being interrupted or disrespected. Here at NRS, we can also look for local family counseling resources for you if you call or chat us. Those resources might be able to help address the toxic communication at home. You so deserve to be heard and respected.

You mentioned wanting to run, and we want you to know we are here for you whatever you decide to do. We are primarily concerned about your safety, so if you need any shelter resources or if you would like to talk through your plan please do not hesitate to call or chat us.

We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. 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.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm planning to run away what should I take with me?

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out. Sounds like you are planning on running and thinking about what to bring. We'd be happy to talk this out with you, if you can you might call or chat us so we can get a better idea of your situation and be able to better help brainstorm what you should bring.

Generally, you would want to bring things that would cover your basic needs: emergency finances, clothes, food, medications, your vital documents, and anything else that you need to use on a daily basis. You also might try to avoid bringing valuable items since there is more of a risk that your things could be stolen while you are on the run.

Here at NRS, we are primarily concerned about your safety. If you need to get to a safe place or if you need a supportive ear please do not hesitate to call or chat us: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

I am a 8th grader. I dont lnow if I have depression or not. My mom treats me like crap. she never abuses me or anything, but she is not being fair. I wanted to kill myself but then i Remembered how sad my friends would be. so I did not kill myself. I have a brother that is a jerk to me and my mom SAYS she yells at him and stuff but he never gets anything he deserves. So my brother yelled at me because of a game he was losing. I told my mom and all she said was to not do that again. Then when I do somthing like threatining to turn off his PS3, I get in a lot of trouble. I do not have any money and I have no where to go. My mom has told me tht she would be sad if I died or ran away. At this point, I just do not care what she says anymore. I need help. I need somewhere to go. I am gettng more and more desperate every single time my mom takes my brother side.

[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. 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'm 13 an I want to get away from my family who makes me feel like a screw up how can I get a new family

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your parent’s permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I’m in the sixth grade and I live in Illinois.

I want to run away from my house because of my parents. My father is very verbally abusive, he will make comments about our weight, appearance, or anything about us in general; but after he does it, he laughed like it was some kind of joke. My mother, is emotionally unstable and is and alcoholic, she gets drunk almost every night and needs us to take care of her. I feel bad for her though, but I don’t know if I should.

I have tried to run away in the past while my parents were asleep, but they stayed up all night drinking and got so drunk they both had to go to the hospital. What do I do to escape this?

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension - your dad's comments aren't funny and it's not right of him to say those kinds of hurtful things. It sounds really frustrating that neither of your parents is available to provide any emotional support for you.

It can be really hard to live with someone who struggles with an addiction to alcohol. We want you to know that you are not alone. If you’d like to talk to other young people who are dealing with friends or family members who have drinking problems you can check out Alateen. You can find more information about this support group, or find a local meeting here: https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen/.

You mentioned that both your parents have had to go to the hospital before, raise concern for your safety and well-being. Your parents should be able to properly take care of you. If you feel like their drinking is causing them to neglect you, you have the right to file a report with Child Protective Services. If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering. It may also be a good idea to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

All the best,
NRS