I'm 12 and I want to run Away.

[Guest]

I’m 12 years old with no where to go


hi um I don’t know who will see it but I hope someone does, I just pressed a button and it landed me here. So here we go.

Im a 12year old girl and I feel abused. My Mother and step father either hate me or like me. I get shouted at for no reason! They call me nasty names and other nasty things. I am a girl with some special needs and that’s things they comment about. They don’t get what it’s like to be in my shoes or anyone else’s with special needs. I have depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, whenever I try and talk to them about it the just practically ignore me. I know I’m luckier that some other kids but I can’t do this anymore. The people I would normally contact about this are away on holiday or something so at the moment I have no one. I’m 12 years old and I want to run away. I have no where to go.
PLEASE HELP !

[ccsmod8]

Hello there –

Thank you for reaching out to us here on our public forum. Hopefully by helping you through your crisis, there are others in similar situations that can find it helpful as well. It can be hard not to know what do to in this situation. It’s great that you are able to reach out for help in your current situation, it’s very brave of you to do that. It must be very frustrating.

Unfortunately, we don’t know much about resources outside of the United States. But there are resources that might be able to help you within the UK that can be of more help. There is the “Runaway Helpline” (https://www.runawayhelpline.org.uk/) and “NSPCC/Childlind UK” (https://www.childline.org.uk/) so that you can look to see if there is a youth crisis hotline that might be of more help since our resources don’t go outside the United States. There also might be a number in which you can call as well to talk to them about what has been going on. It might be a great way to talk to someone there that can help you get through these terrible times.

We hope that this resource helps!

[Guest]

I'm 10 and a girl I also want to run away because I'm in foster care and stuff is really bad my little brother hates me but I love him he always won't listen to me

[ccsmod15]

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 what’s going on.

It sounds like you are going through a hard time. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. You can also reach out to NAMI at 1-800-950-NAMI or text NAMI to 741741 for counseling resources. You are not alone and we are here to support you through this difficult time. You can also call us at our confidential 24x7 hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); or live chat with us at www.1800runaway.org.

Leaving home can be hard and it can be helpful to think about where you might stay and how you might pay for food, rent and other living expenses. We are not legal experts but we can speak generally. Running away is not a crime, however, the legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway and you could be brought back home.


You are acting strong by reaching out for help. We wish you the best and hope to hear from you soon.

Best
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 11 and my dad is always so mean. He wont give me my life and choices. I wanna live my life my own way. I've been thinking about about running away but I would have no where to go. I'm scared thinking about leaving I cant handle the pressure of doing it. I just need to know what to do.

[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. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do. It sounds like your dad isn’t listening to you when you are trying to express your thoughts and feelings about your current situation. It could be a good idea to work with a local family counselor or have a conversation mediated by a school counselor/social worker, trusted friend, or family member to help clear the air. If you'd like, you can also call us directly and we can conduct a conference call with your dad so you have a safe environment where you can express yourself.

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.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to be alone

i am 12 and feel like I don’t love my mom anymore. Every day I think about running away and killing myself. We get into a lots of fights and she is always calling me out for using a tone with her which most of the time I am but sometimes I’m not. Every time she uses her tone on me she says it just her voice and she argues with me about how she isn’t using one. Every time my dad are agreeing with me my mom says your not apart of this. The last time she said that my dad said I’m part of this family too but she was still saying no. I feel like I can’t talk to anybody and I don’t want to. Every time I try to tell her about what she’s doing she’s basically saying your the problem just not in those words. I feel like I can’t go to my friends either because i feel like I’m to quiet and I don’t really fit in. There is only one person I can trust which is one of my friends since kindergarten but that’s changed because of one of are newer friends who came to our school in 4th grade. I don’t have any problems with her but I feel like they are so close that I can’t tell her. I just want to be alone where no one is in the house so I can get away from people.

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks for reaching out to us, we know that it takes a lot of courage. You mentioned that every day you think about killing yourself. 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. 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.

It sounds like your mom isn’t listening to you when you are trying to express your thoughts and feelings about the tone she takes with you and how she invalidates your feelings. It could be a good idea to work with a local family counselor or have a conversation mediated by a school counselor/social worker, your dad, or another family member to help clear the air. If you'd like, you can also call us directly and we can conduct a conference call with your mom so you have a safe environment where you can express yourself.

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.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 11 and I want to run away. I can't call anybody like the suicide hotline because my phone doesn't have a Sim card. I live with a single parent, my dad. He never talks to me anymore, he just plays video games all day. Sometimes I sneak out in the middle of the night because if I don't sneak out, I'll end up not thinking clearly, and end up hurting myself, which I don't wanna do. I haven't hurt myself in 7 months. It's so lonely here. All my friends live far away, same with family. I'll be alright on the streets. I don't mind not eating because I'm so fat anyways. I won't be bored. I can run around doing graffiti tags and bombings around the ghetto. Only for a week or so. I'll change location often so the police search party won't find me. I'm also transgender and though my dad is excepting, my school isn't as nice. The kids are cool about it but the adults are the issue. I'm going into 6th grade soon and without my best friends in my class plus occasionally getting bullied for being trans... Running away seems like a good option.

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are in a really rough situation and we want you to know that we are here for you. It’s tough to feel so alone and it isn’t unreasonable to want more attention from your dad when he is giving you so little. It sounds like you may want more consistent support in your life. It may be a good idea for you to consider talking to a therapist or a counselor about these difficulties you’ve been dealing with. If the adults at school are not helpful, you can always reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Their phone number is 1-800-950-NAMI. They are a great organization that can help you find affordable mental health resources in your area. You can also talk to your dad about needing some additional support and maybe he would be able to help you with getting that.

Additionally, you can always reach out to the LGBT National Hotline and the LGBT National Youth talkline at 1-888-843-4564 and 1-800-246-7743. There you can speak with people who may have similar problems to yours and advice for your situation.

We can also talk about running away and what that might look like. We can look up the youth shelters in your are and help you figure out how to leave home in a way that is safe and responsible. If you are interested in having that conversation, please don’t hesitate to call us on our 24/7 hotline 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 12 I Plan To Runaway I Know That It's Not Easy My Family Found Out I Like Girls And They Are Not happy at all..... I Feel Like I'm Wasting Away Here I can't stand it anymore I want a friend to come with me but I do Know That Will Cost More But I Want Some One With Me I Plan To Take Online School I Worked Out A living Situation Somewhere in the woods in a different state I Want To Be A person I can be proud of I can't be myself here I Have depression and HAD suicidal thoughts I don't know if I'm Being Irrational But I'm Leaving I Just Need A date and Money That's it I Plan To Leave In A Half a year I think I can stand But I want time to really think but my mind is set but I need time to gather up things

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what's been going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do. You mentioned that there is some family tension based on attraction to girls. If you identify or thinking that you might identify as LGBT You are not alone in this and the LGBT National Youth Talkline is a great resource that offers support for young people in similar situations to your own. 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 1-800-246-7743 or you can check out their website at gltbhotline.org. You can also check out the Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to helping LGBT teens, by calling 866-488-7386 or by going to thetrevorproject.org.

It’s important to consider all the possibilities that can occur if you leave home. You will need to plan out how you will cover basic necessities like travel, food, clothing, etc. If you have a place to go in mind, it’s good to see what the expectations of the living arrangement will be like; rules, the amount of time you’re allowed to stay, if you’re expected to contribute financially, etc. Living on your own can also bring about many safety risks. You will need to consider ways that you can protect yourself from physical harm as well as the possibility of exploitation. This can all influence your decision to leave.

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.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 13 and I need some time alone....

So my life was great until October 2013 when we came to Florida. Then things started go downhill. I was sad and upset because my parents moved me away from all my family and my school that I loved. Fast forward to now, my parents have been arguing a lot and it's all mostly cause if my father. He does not like to share his things with us so it make my mom really upset with him and they start to argue. Me and family are really tight on money so we don't really go places which makes me feel depressed and weary. My mom also has anger inside of her which then she takes it out on me which makes me cry. When she comes home from work I ask her how her day was and all she says is did you do this and did you do that and does not bother to ask how my day was. Sometimes my mom does use bad language at me when she's mad. I think I just need time alone away from this to be myself again.

[ccsmod6]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It was brave of you to reach out to us and try to discuss further what is going on at home. It is most definitely difficult to be pulled away from home, especially one within which you have established some good emotional supports and enjoy going to school there. In terms of home now, it is even more challenging to live in a volatile environment where there is a lot of fighting and even when you approach your mom, it must be upsetting that she does not validate you and ask you about how you are doing emotionally. You do not deserve to be called names, especially be your own mom.

Regarding resources for you, we could always discuss further your desire to run away from home and possible basic shelters or youth shelters that could be of help in the meantime. We could also discuss if it would be at all possible fi you could return home to where your extended family resides and explore the possibility of living with them for a while until things at home get better. Additionally, it could also be of help to you if you did reach out to those close friends and family from home that you do trust to talk to about your current situation if you have not already. If you think that your parents would be open to the prospect of talking about the situation at home and how it is effecting you emotionally, we could always set up a conference call with them in which we open up the conversation between the both of you in order to openly and constructively talk about some solutions. Please reach out to the National Runaway Safeline directly at 1-800-786-2929 to talk about all of these options more in depth.
(16:51) garrett: love it thanks

[Guest]

i am 12 and i have this desperate feeling to run away.
I feel like my mum takes favour over my younger sisters than me.
I do not have anything that makes me want to stay at home and i actually often prefer school to home.They treat me like i am nine years old and hardly ever let me go enjoy myself with my friends.
she gets angry with me over little things and always says she hates me and might kill me.She also speaks about me meanly behind my back and says that i have problems which of course i hate.I also notice that i get little good attention and every bad thing in the house that happens nearly always is blamed on me.i find my life way to hard and stressful and i feel unloved. what should i do ?

[ccsmod13]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS! It sounds like you have been having a really difficult time at home. It can be very overwhelming when the adults around us are not supportive. Home is supposed to be somewhere you feel safe and supported. From what you shared, the way your mom treats you makes you feel unloved and like you would rather live somewhere else. We are glad that you have found a more positive environment at school, but you also deserve to have that at home.

If you do leave home without your mom’s permission, she can file a runaway report. You will not be arrested, but if the police locate you then they will return you home.

Sometimes having the space to talk to someone about how you have been feeling can help relieve some of the stress. Talking to someone that you trust like another family member or an adult school can help you feel less stressed about what is going on and they might be able to help with the situation. We encourage you to call or chat us anytime if you need someone to listen or want to brainstorm some options to help you feel more supported at home.
We hope to hear from you soon by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or chat at our website 1800runaway.org. NRS is ready to listen and help 24/7.

You are very brave for reaching out,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi im 12 years old and I want to run away because my mother,brothers and sister says horrible things to me and if not to my face then to eachother but loud enough so I can hear. When my sister and I were arguing my mum told me to shut up and my sister started moaning about me to my mum and I said that they don't make me feel welcome. I don't get along with anyone from my family and they make me dislike myself. 2 years ago one of my brothers died he wasn't always nice but he was least rude and I felt like my mum poisoned my aunties brains ofor how they think of me because she twists the truth. I didn't let my sister got to the A.P. so she called me selfish stupid fat and ugly. I want to leave but I don't have anywhere to go or money.

[ccsmod2]

Hello.
Thank you for reaching out to us. We’re sorry you’re going through such a difficult situation. It’s difficult when you feel ganged up on. Nobody deserves to go through something like that or feel that way, especially in their own home. We’re sorry to hear you lost a sibling. Even though you may not have felt they were the nicest person, it’s still something very difficult to go through for you and your family.
It’s important to remember that when you’re going through such difficult times, you’re not alone. You did the right thing by reaching out.
It sounds like your family is under a lot of stress. Have you spoken to anyone outside your family about what’s going on? Like a friend, a friend’s parents or a school counselor? Having someone you can talk to who knows you personally (even if they’re not a family member) can be a big help in finding support.
We’re here to listen too! Feel free to give us a call at 1800RUNAWAY or chat with us at 1800runaway.org anytime, 24/7. We can help you talk more about your situation and discover options you may not be aware of.
Again, we’re sorry you’re having such a difficult time at home right now with your sister, mother and brothers. You don’t deserve to be going through such a tough time and you’re not alone. We’re here to listen and here to help, 24/7.
All our best
-NRS

[Guest]

Hi I’m a 13 year old girl almost 14.. I never thought I would fall in love with another girl but I did anyways I had wrote a thing on this notebook abt transgender ppl or whatever bc my brother would say I’m transgender when I’m not so she took my phone and started looking through my messages with the girl I fell in love with. My gma had called this girl and told her we can’t be “friends” anymore and we can’t see each other. At this point I was rlly mad bc my gma had said sum rlly bad stuff abt this girl and she meant the world to me so I most likely won’t be happy til I’m 18- an adult for when I can make my own choices anyways I was contemplating on wether I should run away or not bc of how she hurt me and I had started thinking that she’s racist n stuff n I was shaking n felt like I needed to throw up the night she found out.. I rlly need sum help idk if anyone can understand he pain im in cuz I’m not even supposed to be talking to her but I am

[ccsmod13]

Hey, thank you so much for reaching out.

Your pain is so valid and you are not alone in your experience, many people can relate to what you are currently going through. It can be incredibly upsetting to have someone go through your personal belongings and then force themselves into your relationships, especially when they are regarding LGBTQIA+ loved ones. You deserve to feel loved and safe in your own home, and the fact that your grandma is not allowing you to be your authentic self is unfair.

However, since LGBTQIA+ people are still being persecuted by many people in our country, you need to make sure that you feel safe and comfortable enough to be open about who you love. If continuing this relationship is something that you want, make sure to be safe and openly communicate with your partner about your situation. If you feel comfortable talking with your grandma, opening those lines of communication may be beneficial. Sometimes coming up with what you’d like to talk about and writing it down can help you feel calmer and help organize your thoughts. Please do this only if you feel comfortable and safe enough to make this a conversation.

Running away is a big step to take, and is something to seriously consider. Where you can stay, how you will survive, and how to continue school are all questions that need to be looked at head on. However, the fact is that running away can be the only option to feel safe and can help someone get out of a dangerous or harmful situation.

At some point, waiting is also option. I know that that may sound like a very long time and can feel stifling, but you have an entire life ahead of yourself. The fact that you are already going through this and reaching out for support shows that you are a strong and confident person who is unafraid of looking for answers and help. If you would like to reach out to other organizations, feel free to contact the LGBT National Youth Talkline at 1-800-246-7743. They specialize in LGBT youth and are open to talk with you whenever you need an ear. There is also the Trevor Project that can be reached at 1-866-488-7386 or at thetrevorproject.org. We are also available at National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY 24/7, on our live message service, on our forums, or over email.

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi. I'm only 12 and im in need of help. My parents are so cruel. They call me ungrateful and a ********** and I cant take it anymore. They think I'm ugly, fat, stupid and so on. I want help. No one wants to help me. Not my friends, school, not even my other family member! Sometimes I feel like I should just end it! Someone please help me!

[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 and we hope to be able to help you. We are sorry to hear that your family is so cruel to you. You don’t deserve that. It sounds frustrating feeling like there is no one to help you. 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.

Your life is very important. If you begin having those thoughts of ending it again and want to talk with someone anonymously, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. One resource that might work for you is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can reach them at 1-800-273-8255. They also have an internet chat function through their website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

We would love to talk more about the details of your situation so that we can work towards a solution you find acceptable. If you would like to share more, please feel free to call our 24 hour hotline at 1-800Runaway (786-2929) or use our live chat. We hope this information was helpful and take care.

[Guest]

I am 13 and I want to run away
idk what to do I live with my grandfather who doesn't understand me ands yells at me for everything that I don't do I get abused physical and sexually at school but he doesn't believe me. My aunty who lives with me as well she doesn't help she verbally and physically abusing me idk what to do anymore I want to run away but there is a part of me that says. I need help I want a new life. I am over this i hate it I want to live normally I already have a plan to get money.
i need help Idk what to do I want to kill myself but I am scared that I will leave behind a life that I could of have I tried a month back but the rope that I was going to hang myself on snapped please I need your help I need an option

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through an incredibly difficult time right now, and we want you to know that you are not alone.
First of all abuse is never okay and we are sorry that you have had to go through that and it is frustrating that your grandfather does not believe you. You always have the right to file an abuse report, there are a few options in filing a report. One option you could consider is telling a school counselor or teacher, they are mandated reporters so by law they would have to file a report on your behalf. Another option is you could call Child Help Hotline at: 1800-422-4453, and file a report with them. Another option to consider is you could call or chat with us and we can help you file a report. If you are ever in immediate danger please call 911 as your safety is very important. You also mentioned being sexually abused which is also never okay. Another resource that may be useful for you is RAINN which is the national sexual assault hotline. They are available 24/7 by chat or by calling them at: 1800-656-4673.
You also mentioned running away. We are not legal experts but we do have general information on the laws. If you were to run away your legal guardian does have the right to file a runaway report. If the police do find you and they find it safe for you to go home they most likely would bring you back home. If you find running away is your only option you can always contact us and we can help you look for safe places to stay. You could also see if you would be able to stay with any other family members or friends.
You also mentioned having thoughts of killing yourself. We want you to know that you are valuable and you are worth living. It may seem like your situation may last forever but nothing last forever and you can get through this. From having to deal with all of this it shows that you are strong. There is always someone willing to listen and provide support. If you are ever feeling suicidal or just need someone to talk to you can always call The National Suicide Prevention Line. They can be reached at : 1800-273-8255. You can also always call us as well.
We hope this information will help you in your situation. Please give us a call if you have any more questions or would like to explore more options or would just like to talk. We are here for you 24/7. We wish you the best of luck, please stay strong you are never alone!
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 12 and want to run away

I’ve been thinking about this since I was like 5, and this all started when I was sure my parents favored my sister and punished me for small things. Even if I told the truth when I got in trouble, my sister would say different and since she older than me.(10 months older) Now that I’m older I’ve actually been looking into if it’s illegal at a certain age to run away, I’m not sure but I live in Illinois. I’ve talked to my best friend in the whole world and we seem to be going through close to the same thing. We always get ready to go and run away, once when I was at my grandparents house I got ready and packed a bag. I got my shoes on and texted her, but my grandma found me at the door and I told her I was really cold. I think she knew I was actually running away but she agreed and hurried me to bed. I’m going into 7th grade soon, and that was 2 years ago. Since then I’ve cut my arms, and I’ve tried to hang myself without luck. My parents always fight and when I try to cheer up my sister she always yells at me. Today my dad and sister got into a fight and when he went outside to yell at my mom I told her, “that was uncalled for.” I think she thought I was talking about her but I meant our dad. Then my dad walked in and yelled at me because I “started” something. I might tell my mom about how I’m gonna run away but I might got down the block to my friend Maddy’s house. I talked to my boyfriend about this and he said that I can run away just don’t get hurt which kills me because people are weird and could do anything to me because I’m literally a little girl running away on a bike in the country. He’s trying to help but he’s like 49 miles away from me and I can’t ride my bike that far, even if I did my parents would probably find me. Please just help.

[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. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do. We aren’t legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, if you do opt to leave your home your parents can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor. If a runaway report is filed and you are located by the authorities you will most likely be returned to your parents.

You mentioned that you had tried to hang yourself. 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. 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 also brought up that you have cut your arms before. It’s totally understandable that you would want to do something to give you a feeling of power and control when you may feel hopeless. To Write Love on Her Arms is an organization dedicated to supporting people who use this coping mechanism on their road to self-realization and recovery. You can check them out by going to https://twloha.com/.

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.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I’m 11 and I really want to run away

[ccsmod15]

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 contacting us. 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.
Leaving home can be hard and it can be helpful to think about where you might stay and how you might pay for food, rent and other living expenses. It can be unsafe to be outside in many cases. If your safety is at risk you can call 911 or the if you are being hurt in anyway you can also call Child Help USA at 1-800-422-4453 and they can help you provide more information on filing an abuse report.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission.Since 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. 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).

Be safe,
NRS