I'm 12 and I want to run Away.

[Guest]

Hi...I am 12 and I want to run away. Sometimes, I feel my family doesn’t understand what I’m going threw. My mom and dad were talking about divorce. We have to live with my grandmother and sometimes I feel my little sister hates me. I feel I have depression sometimes but also sometimes I feel I have anger issues. I feel the two are somehow connected because when I get super sad, I feel I need to be tough so I put on a mean face and look mad, but inside, I am actually hurting. I am so mad at myself sometimes because when I get super depressed mixed with angery, I take my pain out on people, like my sister. I never mean to hurt these people but it just happens when I hold the pain inside. Pain from what? Maybe stress... but sometimes i feel I just need to cry my pain away. I know my family cares for me, so my situation is not as bad as others. The only thing is, I hate the way I get mad or how I take things out on people or how I can’t express my feelings like a normal person. Sometimes I feel I want to hurt myself, but I have such scarring dad and s loving mom and a wonderful sister, and even though my grandmother gets on my nerves, I know she cares. I want help because I know they love me, but I feel so sad.. Am I not grateful? I don’t even what’s on in me sometimes. Please..please help.. I wanna get better for my family.

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,

Thank You so much for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we know it can be difficult to reach out and we are so glad that you took the first steps into reaching out. Divorce is a very difficult thing for your parents to go through, and also for you and your siblings to go through. Being angry and having depression can be connected so it is understandable that you are feeling this way. You could consider going to a counselor to help you when you are feeling depressed. Also if you attend school it may be a good idea to speak to a school counselor or even a teacher about how you are feeling, sometimes it can be more difficult to keep all that pain inside. You mentioned that you take pain out on people such as your sister. The next time that you are in pain, instead of taking the pain out on people you could try punching a pillow or writing your feelings down in a journal. It seems like you are grateful for your parents and it is completely normal to be feeling sad during this time.
Another way to feel better might be to do hobbies that you enjoy, or spend time with the people you care about. Also if you would like to talk to your parents about the way you are feeling at NRS we offer conference calling. Conference calling is where you call us, and we can call out to your parents and help you tell them how you are feeling. We hope this information has helped you in your situation. If you would like to discuss more please feel free to call or chat with us at any time we are available 24/7. Remember you are not alone and please stay strong!
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 11 and I want to run away too.


My dad doesn't even acknowledge me and whenever he does he just yetlls at me. My mom is done with me and doesn't care if I go or not. My parents call me out of my name many times and at some points hit me. I just want to leave.

[ccsmod3]

Hi there,

We’re really sorry to hear about how your parents are treating you. The fact that your dad doesn’t acknowledge you except to yell sounds really hurtful, and same with the fact that your mom doesn’t seem to care. On top of that, nobody deserves to be hit by their parents. It’s totally understandable why you want to leave.

If you end up wanting to run away, there are a lot of things to think through to make sure you stay safe while you do it. You would need to know where you’re going, what you would do for school, how you would get food, and other stuff like that. We’re happy to talk you through those things if you’re thinking about running away – giving us a chat or call makes that easy. It can be really scary to think about, but there are options out there to making things better, and we want to help you figure that out.

Have you talked with friends or teachers about your situation at home? Sometimes it can help to talk with other people, especially if there’s a teacher or a counselor at school who you trust with personal stuff. There are adults in your school who would really care and want to help, even if you haven’t talked to them yet.

You should also know that if you’re getting hit badly and you feel like you’re in danger, there are people who can help. If it’s an emergency, you can always call 9-1-1. You can also reach out to child protective services if you want somebody to speak with your parents and try to make your home safer long-term. If you want to report your abuse to them, call 1-800-422-4453.

If you want to talk to us more about running away, or anything else, you can either post another forum post, message us on this website 1800runaway.org, or call us at 1-800-786-2929. Please let us know if we can help!

-NRS

[Guest]

hey i feel like no onecares about me and my family dosnet and i just need someome to talk to

[ccsmod5]

Hi, thank you for reaching out! We are here to listen and help in any way we can 24/7. Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or use our chat on our website. We hope to hear from you soon!

[Guest]

My name is Natalie im 12 and i suffer from depression but my family take it as a joke ive gon threw so much ******** i cant even explain how ********ed up my life is my dad is abusive and has even gone to jail for abuse but my mom bailed him out

[ccsmod9]

Thank you for reaching out us here at NRS. We know it can be a difficult and stressful situation you find yourself in. What’s more is that we hope to provide you with tips and resources to help you make a more informed decision on your situation.
Though we are not legal experts from what we gather about your story is that you have been dealing with a lot as far depression. We are very sorry to hear that. Some good ways to find help are to perhaps seek out a school counselor who can listen and give advice. Other means are to find support groups/ communities online that help give you the support you need in such a difficult time. If those thoughts about thought of depression ever become more suicidal in nature please know you can call us here at NRS or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Both our call lines can help you with support and guide you in on more resources. Please know that if you need more resources or to just speak with someone we here to listen and help in any way we can. We 24/7 and confidential. If you feel however that you are no longer safe at home with your father please know it is your right to be and feel safe. You can call the authorities in order to get help at home. We at NRS can also make the call along with you so that you don't feel scared or alone in this situation. We hope that you can find a safe solution to your situation. Another option you have are to speak with school counselors or teachers in order to have one on one help to guide you with further options.
Again we want to commend you on your bravery for reaching out to us and seeking help. We know that it takes a lot in order to do that. We hope that we have helped you in a way that positions you to make the best choice for yourself. If for any reason you have more concerns or questions please do not hesitate to call us at (1-800-786-2929) or online through our chat option at (www.1800runaway.org).
Best Wishes - NRS

[Guest]

I’m 12 and I don’t really like my home because my parents always yell and I cry alone about it. I’ve did a small bit of self harm because randomly I become sad sometimes. Then sometimes I just want to run away or do something bad to myself.

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out. It sounds like home is a difficult place for you right now and we’re glad that you reached out. You mention that you’ve done a “small bit of self-harm” and sometimes you just want to “do something bad to myself.” Your safety is really important to us. If you ever feel like you’re in danger of hurting yourself or killing yourself, you can always call 9-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. There is support out there and you don’t have to be alone.
It sounds like your parents are yelling at you a lot and that is impacting your well-being. One option is to talk to your parents about how their yelling affects you. It’s possible that they don’t realize how much this is impacting you; we hope that your parents would want to be supportive of what you need. In the meantime, we encourage you to talk to anyone you trust. That could be a teacher, guidance counselor, family member, or even a friend’s parents. You deserve to be supported.
Thank you again for being brave and strong. If you ever want to talk about options, get resources, or just need a listening ear, feel free to call any time. We’re always here to listen, here to help. Our number is 1-800-786-2929.
--NRS

[Guest]

You aren't alone trust me... I'm 15 and seriously considering running away from home with my friend. I have a serve anxiety disorder and mild depression. I can't take it anymore, school is too stressful, and my family is giving me no support. I'm running away to the east and hoping to find a new life there. Any tips on running away for a clueless anxious girl?

[ccsmod0]

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,

[Guest]

I want to run away and nothing that you tell me will change my mind. Goodbye, I am off into the world.

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for your post. We’re not legal experts, but generally speaking if you run away your family could file a runaway report and if the police are able to find you they may bring you home. That being said, we understand if leaving is your safest option and we hope you’ll consider the following: where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, where you’ll get food and money, and what you’ll do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. If you need any shelter resources or need help figuring out your options, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929. Good luck and stay safe.
NRS

[Guest]

I'm planning on running away.

I want to run away but I'm not a citizen of the country I'm wanting to run away in (america). However I do have a green card and and I have lived here for 2½ years. Can I be deported if I'm discovered? And how do I change my identity without getting "caught"? I've done my research on the state I'm living in and I know all the consequences of getting caught but only as I were an american citizen. I could apply for citizenship this year and probably get it approved in a month or so because my mother is a citizen by birth but how would I convince my parents I want to abandon the possibility of duel citizenship if becoming a citizen before running away is a good idea? I've already tried to carefully suggest it anyway but they won't hear me out... I know I will be running away soon but I dont know what to do about my legal situation.

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It takes courage into reaching out, and this is a really good first step. It sounds like you are having a hard time at home and we are here for you.
We aren’t legal experts and it does sound difficult finding information on your situation due to the laws only involving people that are citizens. We can certainly help you try to find some better information on your situation. If you feel comfortable, we can contact your local non-emergency police on your behalf to ask any questions you do have. Since we are confidential we would not reveal anything you do want us to and we can ask the questions you have about runaway reports and citizenship while staying confidential. We are her 24/7 so do not hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat us at 1800runaway.org if you want us to call on your behalf.
If you do want to, we can safety plan as you said you are running away soon. We can go over some things about where you would go, how long you could stay there, food and water obtainment, etc. We truly care for you and your safety is the top priority with whatever you decide.
We are always here for you so please reach out if you want to talk further. We hope to hear from you soon!

[Guest]

I want to run away or somehow call the police on my such called "father" .
I have been mentally, physically and emotionally abused and i'm just to scared to do anything about it and im only 12.
My parents are divorced and i go to my moms on the weekend and i take the screen off of my window and and unlock the front door so i can sneak out and think about things.
I mainly live at my dads but he has cameras around the property because we live in a bad neighbor hood or the "ghetto" i guess you would call it and when ever something moves around or by the camera
it makes a notification to his phone but he is barely home because he works on nights and sometimes all week.
I have had bruises all the way up and down before and i've gotten dragged down the stairs by my hair, shirt, pants, legs, arms, mostly anything that you could think.
I mean he has PTSD and all from his past but that doesn't mean you should be threatening and abusing your youngest child.
He also says i try and to have it my way and play mind games or be controlling but i really dont know how you possibly could.
My older sibling used to get abused until he was 10 (he is 14 now, mind you he is very attached to my dad and he now hits me too) but now its happening to me and it has been sine i was 7.
I dont really have any family around where i live and i do not know what to do.

please reply and give me advice on how to fix this problem.

[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 and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.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 another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. 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 chat soon through our website (www.1800runaway.org) (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to run away. I can’t take it it’s thanksgiving and all my family usually comes to the mountains but this year my cousins the only reasons I came are leaving early. They offered to take me back. My parents wouldn’t let me and I’m on my period and really want to go back. I was crying and saying I want to leave. My dad pushed me over and beat me and and my forehead started bleeding and it’s bruised badly. They keep calling me a baby because I can’t stop shaking and crying. This year my eating disorder anxiety and depression have gotten bad. I feel like I’m trying to scream and no one can hear me. I need a fresh start.

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through a really difficult time right now. What you have mentioned sounds like it is abuse. Any type of abuse is unacceptable. And you do not deserve to be treated that way. If you would like to make an abuse report you can contact The Child Help Line at: 1800-422-4453. We know that sometimes making these reports can be scary, at NRS we can help you with making a report. And you also do not deserve to be called names. You may want to consider talking to your school counselor or a trusted teacher about your feelings, sometimes talking to someone can help you feel better. You can also call us if you would just like to talk. We hope this information was useful in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to talk more please feel free to give us a call, we are available 24/7. Best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 11 and want to leave.



So i'm not abused but have depression and anxity. My parents and i don't get along very well. When something happens they get mad at me and when i say i didn't do anything they just yell at me more. I'm not sure what to do. I have done alot of research about running away and i think it's the best idea, not only for me but my family as well. I have my bag packed and planning to leave in a few weeks when it's time for winter break at school. I was going to leave over break and tell my parents i was going to my friends house for a sleep over, but i wouldn't go there. I was planning to go to the dollar store and then walk to the homeless shelter. It will be a long trip but i'm willing to do it. Is it a bad idea for me to leave?

[ccsmod7]

Thank you for reaching out to NRS. It can be difficult to share your story, and we’re glad you did. It sounds like you’re in a difficult situation at home and looking for the best option. We’re sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time with your parents, as well as struggling with anxiety and depression.

The state you live in will determine what running away would look like. While NRS is not a legal agency, we can do our best to give you a sense of what might happen if you run away, and how to explore alternative options if you think there might be another way to get through this difficult time.
In most states, at the age of 12 you are still considered a minor. That means that if you do choose to run away, your parents may file a runaway report. Although you will not be charged with a crime for running away, being a runaway is what’s known as a status offense. This means if the police came across you, they would most likely have to bring you home.

In regards to your plan, we would encourage you to consider how you would take care of your basic needs (eating, sleeping, shelter, staying healthy), stay in school, and how you would care for your safety if something were to happen.

You mentioned planning to leave in a few weeks at the beginning of your winter break. First of all, we want to make sure that you are currently safe and feel like you will be for the next few weeks. You also said you were planning on walking to the nearest shelter. How safe this plan is will depend on where you live. It’s important to consider how long the walk is, especially if you live in an area of the country that gets cold during the winter, how safe the walk is (do you have to walk along a high-way or through an unsafe area?), and if the shelter will have space for you when you do arrive. It is also important to know if the shelter requires your parents’ permission in order for you to stay there (some shelters need permission from a guardian).

If you would like to discuss what running away might be like in more detail, or talk about other resources and support, please feel free to call our 24-hour hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or use our Live Chat to speak one on one with someone in our call center.

You also mentioned struggling with anxiety and depression. It can be very hard to deal with those issues, especially if you are feeling like it all falls on you. We want to remind you that you do not have to face this alone, and that there are resources available. You are important and you matter. If you are not already receiving mental health services, and are interesting in reaching out for professional mental health support, another good resource could be the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-877-726-4727 and online at samhsa.gov. Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a resource with support groups among other services, at 1-800-950-NAMI and online at nami.org.

If you are interested, you can call our hotline and we can offer conference-calling as an option as well. If you wanted to do this, we could help mediate a constructive conversation between you and your parents to help reach some understanding.

We hope this has been helpful and we are glad you reached out.

We’re available 24/7 on our hotline and chat to help you more if you feel like reaching out.

-NRS

[Guest]

Im sad i dont wanna live anymore

[ccsmod10]

Hello there,

Thanks for reaching out to NRS!

We are always here to listen and here to help in any way that we can. It can be very frustrating not knowing what to do or what your next step might be from this point on. It’s brave of you to reach out during your time of need.

You mentioned that you’re feeling sad and you don't want to live anymore. It sounds like you're in a lot of emotional pain right now. Your safety and life is extremely important to us. If you ever feel unsafe or feel like you may hurt yourself please don’t hesitate to call 911, NRS, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255. We are always open and here for you.

We have a database of resources and if you’re able to call in, we can try to brainstorm with you and get a better idea of your situation. If you are thinking about running away and somewhere to stay, we can try to find a runaway shelter for you. Unfortunately, we are non-directive at NRS, and can't give out advice, but we're always here to talk and listen.

Our safeline is open 24/7. You are not alone in this, don't give up.

Stay Safe, NRS

[Guest]

I'm a 10 year old who wants to run away.

I want to run away because my mom called me names and my dad is abusive he's in jail right now but getting out soon my mom yells at me hits me tells me she don't care about me and call’s me bad words what do I do? I know it sounds like nothing buts she's called me every name you probably could think of. what do I do?

[ccsmod4]

Reply:I'm a 10 year old who wants to run away.

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 and you mentioned being abused by your mom and dad. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If ever you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

You may also be able to report any mistreatment by your parent's to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.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 another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. 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 through our contact info at 1-800-Runaway(786-2929) or our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe,
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