I want to run away but have no where to go

[Guest]

Hi I’m 17 and lately I’ve just been feeling so depressed.

I try to tell my family, but they just don’t listen to me and think I’m lying. I would never lie about my wellbeing and it hurts that I can’t get the proper help.

I recently was forced to come out to them and it was so stressful for me. I thought it would make me feel better, but now I’m still stressed and it just continues to get worse for me.

Never in a million years would I want to run away from home, but lately it’s been the only thing on my mind. I don’t know what to do. I get yelled at for my attitude, but I don’t try to act in that way. Every time I get yelled at for being rude, I just go in my room and freak out. I feel as if I have no where to go.

I need a break from my family and I’m not sure if that’s even physically possible, but I really do need a break.

[ccsmod5]

Thank you for reaching out. It takes a lot of courage to share what you’ve been going through. It sounds like you’re in a difficult situation and it’s not okay that your family has refused to listen to your needs. Your well being is important and your mental health matters. You deserve to be believed and to feel supported. While it doesn’t sound like your family is providing a lot of support for you right now, it’s great that you’ve tried to advocate for yourself. You might consider confiding in a therapist, a school counselor, friends, or other family members you trust. There are people out there who are able to give you the proper support and might be able to advocate for your needs to your parents. If you’d like to locate a mental health resource in your area, you can call SAMSHA, which is a referral line: 1-877-726-4727.
It’s not okay that you were forced to come out. You deserved the ability to come out on your own time and to whoever you feel comfortable sharing that information with. It sounds like this stress has been weighing on you. If you ever need someone to talk to about what you’ve been feeling, you might consider reaching out to the LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564.
It sounds like you need time and space away from your family. Since you are still a minor, you would need parental consent to leave home. You might consider asking your parents to spend a weekend (or longer) with another relative or a good friend your family knows and trusts. It can also be helpful to spend time taking care of yourself and nurturing your own well-being. That can be through listening to music, writing, making art, reading, going for a walk, cooking food—anything that helps you get away for a bit.
If you’d like to talk more specifically about your situation, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-786-2929. Our lines are open 24/7 so someone is always here to listen and help. Best of luck to you and stay strong.

[Guest]

What doesn't running away mean?running away from you problems,lucky you.some people don't have an option of running away cuz they know what will happen.i hate pple who say talk to them it will be fine but no one would be here if their parents were open to listen to what they had to say.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

It sounds like you’re very frustrated with some of the problems that you’ve faced and some of the people who have given you advice in the past. We want to assure you that we are here to listen and help, and we are open to hearing about your experiences regardless of what they are. If you are having difficulties talking with your parents, we have services that might help you out. We could even conference call with a parent and you to mediate conversations that you want to have with them. We hope that our services are able to help you out. If you want more information about our services, or if you want to access any of them, please call us at 1-800-786-2929.

Hopefully this message was helpful, and we encourage you to reach out if you need further assistance.

Best of luck,
-NRS

[Guest]

I don't know what to do with my life anymore

I don't know what to do with my life anymore I am afraid of school and going home, and the only solution that could work out to me is running away from home but I am also afraid of doing that. I think I would feel more freedom, less worries and not so many troubles as I do now if I run away, even though I don't know where yet. I want to restart everything and forget about the past, but I've tried to talk to my mom and she says that I should just not be afraid, even though I know it is impossible, every problem in school just comes back to me, and what’s worst is that school isn't my only problem. I've tried to convince my parents to just move me to another school, but they say it's not possible unless we move, and I know that isn't happening. It could just be me being lazy, unsure, or whatever comes from my parent’s mouths, but the quickest way to kill my troubles is to run away, as it is the least thing that I am afraid of. I am to the point where I don't care anymore, even if I am just a stubborn 13 year old, I feel as if the pressure is killing me slowly yet effectively.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I don't know what to do with my life anymore

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 feeling stress from pressure at school and searching for a way to cope with them.
It must be pretty tough for you.
We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
Sometimes it can help by having a safe place to vent and explore some options.

NRS is here to listen and here to help.
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.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I’m a 5th grader and 11 yrs old and sometimes I feel like my mother doesn’t love me and sometimes I do but the reason why I feel like this is because she always calls me stupid and dumb and always curses at me and my dad is in work release but that is in Florida and I’m in Georgia I FaceTime him and call him and we talk things out he always says wait until I get out in March 2 but I just can’t deal with it no more my mom always slap me on my forehead and fuss at me when I tell my dad things like just right now I was playing with my brother who is 6 months and I was swinging him around and when she saw me she said why are u doing that and slapped me on my forehead and said u a stupid little girl then called my aunt who loves to talk bad about people and said u know your niece just had your nephew swinging him by the arms and my aunt was like she a stupid little girl I would’ve punched her and the she said don’t you ever give her back the baby again.All my mom had to do is say don’t do that again. But instead she slapped me and said all of these mean things to me .and I just wanna run away and never come back but I’m scared to do it and don’t have no family up here all of my family is in Florida and we are in Georgia so can u guys please tell me some things I can do to just avoid this situation because I don’t wanna leave home but I just don’t feel like I don’t belong here and I just want another family to adopt me and take me to good schools and treat me right and then about when I get in college I will like to graduate and get my degree and then just roll from there

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thanks for writing in. It sounds like your mom’s words and actions were really hurtful and we’re sorry to hear about this situation. It’s understandable that you would want to feel loved and treated well. You deserve to be cherished and it’s unfortunate that your mom isn’t doing that for you right now. One option might be to share how you’ve been feeling with your mom (it could be helpful to share what you’ve shared with us—that you feel like she doesn’t love you and that hurts you). If you need help having that conversation, it might be helpful to ask another adult to be there for you, like a guidance counselor or a family friend. Here at NRS, we are able to facilitate conference calls between you and your mom so that someone can be there to stand up for you and make sure the conversation stays fair.
You mentioned that you don’t want to leave but sometimes you think about it. That’s understandable, especially considering how you feel like you don’t belong. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong at home. Another option might be to ask your mom if you can stay with a friend or another family member for a short time (or longer if you need). You also mentioned that you’ve been in contact with your dad and that he might be returning in a couple months. It may be an option to stay with your mom and move in with your dad when he returns.
If you’d like to speak about the situation more specifically, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-786-2929. Best of luck to you.

[Guest]

I want to leave my foster mom that adopted me but Idk where to go or money. I want to pursue my dream on becoming a professional snowboarder

[ccsmod5]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at NRS! It sounds like you know what you want to do and that' great! Having ambition and pursuing goals are important. However, you mentioned that you want to leave your adoptive mom to go and follow your dream. Have you talked with her about your plans? They may be able to help.
We aren’t legal experts but can give you some general information. If you leave home without your legal guardian’s permission, she could report you as a runaway. Being a runaway is not a crime and you can’t get arrested for that. But if the police find you, they would bring you back to your guardian’s house in most cases.
If you are going through a tough time with your adoptive mom, there may be other options. You can call us anytime to discuss what those options might be for your situation. You can either call us or chat with us online. Good luck and be safe!

[Guest]

I'm 15 yrs old and I really want to run away, I live with my grandma now and I use to live with my dad and my abusive stepmother. This year has been very hard for me, many things have happened during the past months, one being that my baby brother passed away the most painful and heartbreaking one of all. Right now the ******** I'm going through is that iv been accused of having sex with a cousin of mine, which I falsely approve, Now the thing is because of what happened in my past i tried to commit suicide twice and have been to a behavioral hospital twice, Iv also been diagnosed with MDD which means: Major Depression Disorder. Now my grandma is driving me crazy and so is my aunt, as my family they should support me not go against me, My grandma wants to move me schools because she says I'm getting my aunt into trouble, my aunt is the mom of my cousin and she works in my school, but the thing is that's not true i'm not getting her into trouble, so I don't want to move schools!!! Also my cousin that i supposedly harassed is only 11 years old, so NOW I CANT BE AROUND SMALL CHILDREN, for something stupid that i didn't even do. I'm tired of all this bull******** and I just want to run away from all these problems and backstabbers.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like you have been through more than anyone should ever have to go through. We are so sorry to hear about your baby brother. That kind of heartbreak is incredibly hard to deal with, and then to have gone through living with an abusive stepmom, having people falsely accuse you of having sex with your cousin, being diagnosed with MDD and attempting suicide, and now having trouble living with your grandma and aunt sounds so overwhelming. You seem like a very strong, resilient person for having to go through so much. Here at NRS, we want you to know that you are a remarkable person and your life has infinite value. You should not have to go through all of this alone, and there are people out there that really want to be a support for you during this difficult time.

Please know if you ever need to talk to someone about all that you are going through you can either reach out to us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. We also have a national database of low to no cost counseling resources if you are wanting to talk to someone about your grief, depression, and everything else you have been going through. You so deserve to be supported through this difficult time.

That sounds so hurtful to be falsely accused of having sex with your younger cousin, and to have to go through that defamation of character. You know the truth and are so much more than what others say about you. Again, please reach out if you ever want to talk about how you are feeling. If you ever need any legal assistance, we do have legal aid resources here that might be able to help, please call or chat us if you would like those resources.

If you would like to have a mediated conversation with your grandmother about how you have been feeling and how you need to be supported rather than put down, please call us. We have a conference call service were we can help advocate for your needs to your grandma, and have a productive, respectful conversation.

Again, please call or chat us if you ever need! We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm 12 and want to run away

I'm 12 and want to run away I live in the United Kingdom but my reasons for running away are pathetic compared to everyone else's. I want to run away because me and my mum don't get along and my step-dad is so mean to me and favroutes my step-sister. One time i was arguing with him (cause i stand up for myself) and i said i was getting in the bath (i share a room and thats the only place i can be alone) and he said i hope you drown. i went upstairs and got a bath got out and then after my mum got out the bath she told me i had to apoligise. She always gets in my face. My mum and step-dad don't call me by my name they call me 'that'. I have tried to kill my self before by drowning myself in the bath but as soon as i wasnt able to breath i got up. I have never self harmed myself before cause i HATE pain but the other day i cut myslef. I give up i just want to runway. please help me

please help me

[ccsmod4]

Reply:I'm 12 and want to run away

Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help.
The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. Your situation matters amd we hope that you know that your feelings count.

Your safety is important to us and we appreciate you sharing your ordeal with having suicidal thoughts and cutting. We encourage you to seek other positive steps to help cope with your situation.
If you would like to reach out for help you might try a online referral listed here: To Write Love On Her Arms www.twloha.org

You do not deserve to have such unthoughtful things said to you. You are very brave to reach out to NRS. Good job.
You are welcome to contact us through our website to chat at www.1800Runaway.org

Since you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: http://www.childhelplineinternationa...where-we-work/
We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi there I am ten but I am abused i have read articles and understand it is very hard than when you think about it and dangerous I have planned on taking cloth jacket hat etc. and some money however I only have 40dollars what should I do where should I stay?i live in Haworth nj plz answer ASAP

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out. It sounds like you’re in a challenging situation and it takes courage to reach out for support. No one ever deserves to be abused.
You mentioned that you’re being abused, which you do not deserve. One option is to file an abuse report. If you want to know more information about how to make an abuse report and what the outcome of doing that would be, you can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Another option is to confide in a teacher or guidance counselor, who can also make abuse reports for you.
We’re not legal experts, but generally speaking you need to be 18 to leave home without parental consent. If you leave home without permission, your family would have the right to file a runaway report. If the police are able to find you, they may bring you back home. If you let the police know that you’re being abused, they are supposed to investigate that situation.
That being said, if you do leave home, you might consider staying with a friend or a family member. It can be dangerous living on the streets, particularly because you are so young, so it is important to consider where you will be safest. You might also wanna consider where you’ll get food and money.
If you want to talk about your situation more specifically, please feel free to call us at 1-800-786-2929. Best of luck to you and stay safe.
--NRS

[Guest]

My dad abused me and my dad got taken by the police so my mom abuses me and treats me like she doesn't know me and ive been trying suicide

[ccsmod10]

Hi again,

If you have contacted NRS today through another means (for example, live chat, email or bulletin) for the same issue, it would be helpful to let us know that you have already contacted us. NRS understands it takes courage to reach out for help; therefore, we would like to minimize the need for you to repeat your situation and avoid offering you duplicate services.

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

So lemme start, I'm 12 and my mum used to do drugs we're living with my grand parents in a bungalo which is a small place I share room with her. Earlier today she said if u were adopted I would give u away. And my grandma put my mum in a kids home when she was 16 and my mum hates her for that she told me she would never do that to me, she says story's about it. At this point I just want to jump off a bridge because I'm getting bullied by yr 9,10 I don't know why and I had enough of being called slag, skank and pathetic. Soon if I can't do anything I might do something stuipd I don't trust anyone. Cry myself to sleep most nights silently just want it all over and have a good life. This might be my last night.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you have been in a really tough situation for quite some time and we want you to know how brave it is and how happy we are that you reached out. Your life is valuable and you deserve to feel loved and cared for in your home. You mentioned a couple of things about tonight being your last night or jumping off a bridge and we want you to know that there are people that are willing o listen and help. If you are still feeling this way, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They are there 24/7 to listen and to support. We are also 24/7 and can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). A liner can help you walk through your options and action plan your situation. Do you have any other family members, friends, or counselors or adults at school that you feel like you can reach out to during this difficult time? Even if you feel like your situation is hopeless, it can just help to talk to someone about it all and have them not judge.

You also mentioned bullying and we understand that that can be a really hard thing to handle on top of everything else going on at home. We're so sorry to hear about how you've been treated. Some resources you can reach out to in regards to that would be www.stopbullying.gov and www.Netsmartz.org. They would have resources and advice for you on how to get through the hard times at school.

Please don't hesitate to give us a call or reach out to any of the other resources listed above. It takes a lot of strength to ask for help and share your story and we want you to know that.

Stay safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I have thought about it for a while now and I want to run away. Because of my mom. Now my situation is not as bad as others. But I don't feel loved anymore. She treats my sister like she is Miss. Perfect. And me like I am one of her friend-a-mies (uses to be friend but now dislikes) She also treats my brother like a son and for example when my brother talks about legos or somthing I will pitch in and say: "oh yea I like that Set to!" And my mom will look at me in a desterb way. Another example is my sister gave me a pack of ramen...a few hours later she ssys: "I want it back now" and kicks me. I put in under my arm and say no. Then she comes tourds me and snatches it from me. (My sister) . Then my mom asks what's going on? I say she stole that from me you can't take back somthing you already gave out. My mom rolls her eyes and says give it to her ( as in me giving the food to my sister) and I said she took it from me. Then I droped to the ground crying "I did nothing". (Because my mom was yelling at me) Then my mom walks up to me and yells go to your room. I am now in my room feeling not loved and bulled. I feel bullied because my mom taunts me and mimicks me and even though I tell her to stop she does not. Well...I am sorry for wasting your time with my crap but I just hope you understand.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. We are here 24/7 to listen and to support.

You're not wasting our time and e want you to know that even if it doesn't seem as bad as someone else's story, you still deserve to feel safe and loved in your home.

We are not legal experts, but if you are under the age of 18 and you run away and your mom files a runaway report you could be returned home. It is not illegal to runaway but there could be legal consequences for whomever you stay with for what is called harboring a runaway. It can be difficult to have a conversation with your mom if she’s unwilling to engage with you and only yells or gets angry. Sometimes it can be helpful to have another adult around when you’re trying to talk to your mom so that they can stand up for you and try to keep the conversation calm and fair. That person could be a guidance counselor, other family member, or any other adult you trust. Here at NRS, we also offer a conference call service and can help you have that conversation with your mom. Our number is 1-800-786-2929. Don't hesitate to give us a call if that is something you would be interested in or you just want someone to listen. No one deserves to feel bullied and there are people that are willing to listen and help.

NRS

We hope that this information is helpful to you! We’d love to hear what you think about your experience with the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). If you have a moment, please click the link below our signature line to fill out a quick survey. Best of luck!