Depressed

[Guest]

I was adopted from birth and I was a very happy child until the last two years , my family completely changed , I'm african american & my father HATES it he calls me names or tells me Im raised with a white family act like it , I also have another Adopted sibling Isaiah , I feel like we are the odd balls in the house , we get treated differently than his two caucasian Grand daughters who also live with us . I'm only fourteen & I've been raising myself the past two years , I can't talk to them about how I feel because they HAVE TO BE RIGHT Or they start yelling , or because I'm going through the stage of liking boys they call me every name under the sun Last year they watched their 28 years old daughter fight me and kick me in my stomache cause I got smart with her & when I tried to call the cops they said they would say I hit her first , When I tell them I want to leave they tell me they'll lock me up . When it's time to go to counseling they don't take me , I feel like sooner or later I'm going to hurt myself Living here is stressful , what can I do ?

[ccsmod0]

Hello #1,
We’re so glad you got in touch with us here at National Runaway Safeline. We are so sorry that you have been suffering through that verbal and physical abuse from your adopted family. You do not deserve that type of treatment, no matter what.
If you have a counselor at school or a teacher you trust, we suggest telling them about this treatment. They will be able to get you the help you and your family need to continue on living together in peace.
If you are feeling in danger in your home, please do not hesitate to call the police. They are there to help you through dangerous situations. The physical and mental abuse you are suffering are not okay.
You can also call Child Help, which is a National Child Abuse Hotline. Their number is 1-800-422-4453. They specialize in giving children who are facing abuse in their home support and help.
You can also call us here anytime, day or night at 1-800-RUNAWAY. A trained and caring liner will be on the phone to listen and to try to help you through anything that you might be dealing with.
We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

Sounds like something I'm going through aswell. Try distancing yourself from them, you shouldn't get yelled at if you aren't around. Maybe try to be "good" I know thats not what you want to hear right now but it maybe the only thing that you can do. If you try to be the "good" child they're wanting maybe they'll lighten up on you. Hope this helps.

[ccsmod8]

Hello there –

Thank you so much for writing in on our public bulletin to share your thoughts on this issue. It sounds like you have also dealt with a similar issue in your own life and you wanted to pass on some of that knowledge to this other poster. Things that you have tried and worked for you.

It sounds like some good advice that you gave. One thing that you like to tell youth that might be helpful is to possibly note when the abuse/yelling is happening or any triggers of the abuse/yelling (like after the abuser comes from work or after dinner and/or right when you get home) and to try to find things that can keep yourself away from home during those times (after school programs, sports program, study group at a friend’s house, getting involved in your volunteering, etc).
If you feel that you ever need to go and get out of the house, one resource that you might be able to look into if you’re looking for a safe place to go, would be to visit The National Safeplace website (www.nationalsafeplace.org). This organization provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. You can look up your city and state to see if there is any safe places near you listed. They are usually places like designated school, fire stations, libraries, etc. So that is always an option if you feel like go to talk to someone in person and what has been going on. Or you can give us a call to look up to see what would be in your local area.

Hope that this information helps and please know that we are here 24 hours a day.
Best of luck.