I'm 12 and I want to run Away.

[Guest]

hi, im 13 and i really want to leave. my mother is in an abusive relationship (sometimes physical but, mostly emotional/mental abuse) and i used to be hit by my stepdad as well when he got really angry. we've been to plenty of domestic violence shelters (since the age of 3 to now) and my mom keeps going back to him no matter what. it got really bad recently between him and i so, now i'm living with my grandma. we aren't even in a house though because we can't afford it. we don't have a kitchen either. i do have younger siblings who are still with my mother and stepfather and my mother is pregnant. i can't help them or come back for them i really need to leave but i also have no money what so ever. please help me as soon as possible. i also want to leave with someone i can trust who needs it because i don't think i can mentally do this on my own.

[ccsmod3]

Hi, thank you so much for reaching out. It sounds like you're in a really tough situation right now but you don't have to go through it alone. We are here to help and support you. Nobody deserves to be abused or live in a domestic violence situation. Its understandable that you want to help your mom and siblings and leave the situation with your grandma. You deserve a stable, safe living situation. We would be happy to help you come up with a plan of action and explore your options over the phone or on chat at any time. We're available 24/7 at 1800RUNAWAY. Thank you again for reaching out.

[Guest]

Hi I'm 12, and I really think I'm in trouble I have a bad life at home my parents fight all the time, my dad does drugs, and the worst part is is that we are moving. My mom calls me names all the time And since we are moving i probably wont get any friends i really just want to run, I don't want to move

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling us your story. It sounds like you are going through a very difficult time right now. We want you to know that no one deserves to be called names, and you should not have to go through that. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what to do, but you don’t have to do it alone. 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 charged with “harboring,” if your parents did not give you permission to stay there. 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 69866 the word “safe,” and your location Ex:69866ChicagoSafe 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.

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 tell your mom that you don’t like how she talks to you. 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.

You’ve been very courageous to reach out for help and try your best despite the circumstances.

Best of luck
-NRS

[Guest]

I'm 14 and I think I'm going to run away tonight. Im just tired of everyone trying to run my life I want to be free away from all of this.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I'm 14 and I think I'm going to run away

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.
NRS is here to listen and here to help.
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 about your situation we offer a service where you can vent freely.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

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]

I am 13 and I have three hours to decide if I am going to run away at the end of the school day I am verbally and physically abused but this time is different I was calling my dad when I wasn't allowed to have my phone so I don't have a phone to use and nowhere to go but I have my mind set and if I don't get helped in the next three hours then I am on the streets but I never go anywhere without 150 usd so I found some bus tickets to Chicago and a hotel to stay at for 2 nights so I will be OK for a little bit until I can find a permanent place to reside and I am quite depressed all the time but I keep three out fits in my school locker and I have my watch but unfortunately I can no longer pursue my education.

[ccsmod5]

Hello there,

Thank you for contacting us through our online forum. It sounds like you are going through a stressful situation at home right now. No one deserves to be hurt or feel unsafe at home. It’s understandable that you would want to leave that environment.

You disclosed that you are experiencing abuse. Have you ever considered filing an abuse report? That’s an option we can discuss with you in more detail if you decide to call or chat with us. You can also call 1-800-422-4453.

There’s a lot to think about when leaving home. It sounds like you have already begun to make a plan but some other things to consider would be what you plan to do once you get to Chicago and you run out of funds. Also, how do you think your parents would react to you leaving? As a minor, some things to keep in mind are that your parents could file a runaway report with the police. In this case, if you are picked up by the police, they could return you home. It’s also good to keep in mind that anyone you stay with could be at risk for harboring a runaway. Fortunately running away doesn’t usually have any legal consequences, but harboring is often considered a misdemeanor.

We do hope that you reach out to us through phone or chat to discuss your situation in more detail. Our goal is to help you find ways to stay safe. We would be happy to look up resources in your area, talk with you about your options, or just listen to what you’re going through. We’re here 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929).

Stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 12 and I wanna either die or run away, most probably die. (Suicide). There are so many reasons for it, some of them are useless, or meaningless and some are not even right , I kinda also wanna hurt others...

[ccsmod5]

Thank you for contacting us at the National Runaway Safeline. We are very sorry to hear that you’re having such a difficult time.

You mention thinking about suicide. We want you to know that your life is important and has value even in your toughest moments. If you ever want to talk to anyone about these feelings, there are several resources that can help you. One is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can reach them at 1-800-273-8255 or through their website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. They can help talk you through some of the emotions you’re feeling. They may also be able to find programs in your area where you can talk to someone in person about what you’re experiencing. Another resource you may want to try is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. You can reach them at 1-800-950-NAMI or text them to chat by texting NAMI to 741741.

If you really start feeling like you want to run away, we urge you to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We here to listen, and can help you figure out ways to stay safe whatever you decide to do.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a stranger, you can also try talking to an adult in your life that you trust. Whether it’s a parent/guardian, and aunt or uncle, or a teacher, they may be able to help you see things from a different perspective.

Also, if you ever reach a point where you feel like hurting yourself or someone else, you can call 9-1-1. They will have resources to help you through it and reduce any harm you might feel like causing.

Again, thank you for reaching out to us. It is really brave to reach out for help when you need it and a lot of people aren’t courageous enough to do it, so it’s really impressive that you have. We wish you luck with everything and hope things get better for you.

[Guest]

I'm 11 and I want to runaway. I had anger management problems since I was 6 years old, and I have fights with my parents pretty much everyday. My parents tell me all the time that I have to stop arguing and lying to them and I need to listen to them more, but sometimes I just can't control myself. I feel like every year it's getting worse and worse, and I feel like we just can't trust each other anymore. At school I'm super shy and quiet because I don't want to cause trouble around anyone else around me. I feel like I'm losing more and more of my friends everyday. My life is so horrible for me that sometimes I feel like I just want to die. I hate myself of who I am and I feel worthless. Please help me.

[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. It also 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.
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]

im 12
I experience child abuse physically and mentally.
my father is the one who does it my mother stands their and watches like I'm nothing..
my sisters side with my dad too..

im bi I think my parents hate me for it I continuously want to commit suicide and harm myself I can't do this anymore..

I want to leave I want to run away or report my parents but I don't know how if I try run away my dad grabs me and harms me then he says it's all in my head.

im stuck dying is my only option out of 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 where you are physically and psychologically abused. 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/. You can also call in and we can either help you to file a report or file one on your behalf if that’s the route you are considering.

You mentioned that you have thoughts of suicide and think that this may be your only way out of this situation. We care a lot about your safety, and we can help you find resources that can help you cope with these feelings. You do not have to face this alone, and there is so much help out there for you. The world is a far better place with you in it. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, the National Suicide Hotline could be a good resource for you. You can check them out at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/, or you can call 1-800-273-8255 for help and support any time.

You said that you’re bi and you think that your parents are not accepting; it is perfectly okay to deviate from what others or the common population believe to be “normal”. Your bravery and resilience is so admirable. You are so strong for having gone through so much without having the acceptance that you do deserve for just being you. Remember that you are not alone. The LGBT National Hotline could be a resource that can be a source of great support. The hotline is run by those that are familiar with the issues and experiences of those that are also a part of the LGBTQ community. You can reach them by calling 1-8888-843-4564 or you can check out their website at gltbhotline.org.

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 am 12 and I want to run away. I am not abused or anything like that. I took some quizzes and apparently I have a case of depression and a very severe anxiety disorder. I didn't talk to my parents about for fear of going to a therapist or they will take it as a joke. I don't really trust them completely. I sometimes have thoughts of suicide lately and I can't stop. Is this the best choice or how do I deal with this?

[ccsmod3]

Hi, thank you so much for reaching out. It sounds like you're going through a really confusing time right now, but you don't have to figure things out alone. Depression and anxiety can be debilitating and make daily life difficult to deal with alone. It's ok to be wary of telling your parents about what you're experiencing. Being that vulnerable can be really scary. But there are steps you can take without your parents getting involved. We are always here to talk and help you brainstorm next steps at 1800RUNAWAY. There is also the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (1800)273-8255 and the National Alliance on Mental Illness at (1800)950-6264. Both of these resources can support you as you try and work things out. As for what to do, you know your situation best. Running away may come with consequences. If you do leave without your parents' permission they would have the right to file a runaway report with the police. You aren't doing anything illegal, but it is a status offense which means if you're found you will be returned to your parents' care. But we aren't legal experts and the best way to know how all of this works is to contact your local police department's non emergency line or a legal aid agency. We would be happy to contact them for you if you give us a call. You have a lot of other options too. If you have a friend or family member you feel comfortable talking to, you can do so. You don't have to go through this alone and you deserve support. Thank you again for reaching out.

[Guest]

Hi I'm 11 and I want to run away as well I have no problems at home but I have depression, a little bit anxiety when it comes to this boy he was my bestfriend we had a crush on eachother he made some jokes that were sexual and they made me feel horrible so I have some anxiety being around him now and that's the reason I want to run away I mean it's not permanent for me more like temporary just so I can clear my head and be alone for a bit and I know that's a completely stupid reason to run away but for me I feel like I need too because I dont feel like I'm in the right mindset right now my cousin was punched by a girl and ever since I thought about pulling the girls nose ring out, punching her, or even biting her flesh off, and if you all knew me, you would know I would be known as a "Doormat" and I would never do that to a person and that's why I need to get away and clear my head and make sure I dont do anything rational and that's 1 reason I'm not in the right mindset but I feel like this message it too long already so I'm gonna end it here

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for contacting us here at the National Runaway Safeline today. It sounds like you’re dealing with a really difficult situation, and you are really brave to reach out. The boy you talk about must mean a lot to you, and it can be hard when a close friend sends you uncomfortable messages. Please know that your feelings for him are important and valid. You talk about feeling anxious and depressed. It’s hard to feel this way but it is not uncommon. You may want to talk about this with a trusted adult like a parent or teacher. They might be able to connect you with a counselor who can help you work through how you’re feeling.
You ask about running away to clear your head. You may already know that the age of majority in most states is 18; that’s the age when you are allowed to leave home without your parent or guardian’s permission. If you have a friend or relative you can visit, and your parents are ok with it, that may give you the change of environment you’re looking for.
It’s encouraging to hear you say that you would not act on any of the feelings you have toward the girl who punched your cousin. But it is important to think about why you might think about being violent. This is another topic you may want to discuss with a counselor.
You can call us anytime to talk about your situation. We are here 24 hours a day/7 days a week, and we’re here to listen and help. We hope to hear from you soon.
Best,
NRS

[Guest]

hi im 13 and i want to run away i dont know where tho im tired of my dad hes always yelling at me because of my grades and of my "attitude" im just tired of everything and i just feel like all he cares about is my brother not me like im just not there i hate being there felling like im alone and he is always absent in the most important stages of my life

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for your message. It must be very hurtful to have your father always yelling at you and told that you have an attitude. You absolutely deserve to be supported and loved at home. It could be possible that your father doesn’t realize how his words are impacting you. If you’d feel comfortable, you might consider talking with your dad about how he can support you better. It might be helpful to have another adult there that you trust, like a family member, friend, teacher, therapist, or any other adult that you trust. We can also help you have that conversation if you’d like through conference calling. That being said, we understand if that doesn’t sound like an option for you. Since you are 13, you would still be considered a minor. If you leave home without permission, your dad would have the right to file a runaway report with the local police and if they are able to find you they may return you home. Thank you again for your message. Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 if you have further questions, need resources, or just need someone to talk to. We’re here 24/7 to listen and help in any way we can. We wish you the very best. Stay strong and stay safe!
Kindly,
NRS

[Guest]

I am about 11, and I am depressed. All my friends hate me, I just want to die. I am thinking about running away but I am afraid of what it will do to my parents and my friends that aren't pieces of ****.

[ccsmod3]

Hi there,
Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It takes courage to reach out during difficult times. Know that you deserve to be happy and to feel loved.

If your feelings of depression persist, one option that you always have is to reach out to a school counselor or trusted parent, family member, or other adult. Another option you have is to reach out to NAMI, the National Association for Mental Illness (1-800-950-NAMI). Another important resource that you can reach out to 24/7 is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Like us, both of these organizations are here to listen and help you.

Of course, feel free to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY as we are toll-free, confidential, and 24/7.
Be Safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I am tired of my parents yelling at me and expecting me to clean everything like i am so tired of hearing them and seeing them

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and ere to listen. It sounds like you are going through a difficult time right now. One option you could consider is talking with your school counselor about how you have been feeling. Sometimes talking to a professional can help us feel better and they can also provide you with additional resources.
Another option is at NRS we offer conference calling where if you call us we can call out to your parents and have a conference call. Conference calling allows you to be heard and we are there to listen and help mediate the conversations and we will provide you with support.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore more options please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support to you. We wish you the best of luck in your situation!
NRS

[Guest]

My daughter ran away and has no plans on coming back. Every day I miss her. She won’t reach out to any of our family members. She doesn’t understand how she is hurting our family. She’s ran away before and it just seems like she planned all of this. She’s using drugs and having sex. I’m so scared for her. I just wish some way I could see her again. So if you’re thinking of running away please think of the hurt that it has on everyone. Just please talk to someone before you do it.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: My daughter ran away

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 your situation with your daughter. It sounds obvious that you care about her. We understand how difficult this must be for you. You are not alone.
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).

You might also consider reaching out to Team H.O.P.E. 1-866-305-4673

http://www.missingkids.com/ourwork/support/teamhope

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