I'm 12 and I want to run Away.

[Guest]

I want to run away because my mom doesnt love me or accept me. She always puts herself way ahead of me and when I stand up for myself she yells at me and Her actions have made me suicidal. I have self harmed, I have anxiety and depression and I got a service dog but she won’t let me take him anywhere because “he’s a hassle” and I need help. What should I do?

[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. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension. You mentioned that you have previously had thoughts of suicide and have self-harmed in the past. 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 Prevention Lifeline 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. If you’d like some additional support, an organization that may be helpful is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). You can contact them by calling 1-800-950-NAMI or you can text them by sending NAMI to 741741.

It sounds like your isn't as understanding as she should be 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 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]

Hi I’m 14 and my parents are always fighting and They want to move to a worse part of the country for financial reasons. This would mean attending a much worse high school and being separated from the people I love in the city. How can I run away from this and still attend school?

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your parent’s permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I’m actually 11 but

I have very bad memories at my house and my mom and grandma constantly argue with me and yell at me and I’m sick of it. I’ve thought of running away since I was 8 and I planned it all out, I decided I’d stay with my friend and she said she’s fine with it if it comes to that.
Recently I had a fight with my grandma and mom and they told me to just pack up and leave, and I’m not sure if they were serious or not.

[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’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. Your friends parents could potentially get in trouble for having you stay there if your legal guardian does not give you permission to stay there. They could be charged with what is called “harboring a runaway.” Each state is different so you could consider calling your local nonemergency 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 your mother kicks you out the house this is considered neglect and something you can report to Child Protective Services. 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. If you are in need of any shelter resources or need any additional emotional support we can provide you with resources in your area. 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 44357 the word “safe,” and your location 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 explain to your mom and grandmother how their constant arguing is effecting 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.

[Guest]

Im 14 and i want to run away
im tired of being alone and in depression. My mom has really bad depression and my dad is really tring his best for her but its not enough. I have two brothers with add/adhd and they constantly require attention from my mom and dad. Today i got so pissed i punched my brother in the face and i feel as if i will never bond wuth them again. Im tired and i dont know what to do.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS and sharing a bit of your story with us. It takes a lot of strength to ask for support and it is a really great first step. Depression can be really overwhelming and exhausting to deal. It can be even more difficult when family members like your mom and brothers are not supportive of you. You are not alone in this and we are here to listen and help.

It is good that your dad is trying his best to support your mom, but it sounds like you are not getting the attention from your family that you need to feel better. Home is supposed to be somewhere safe where you feel taken care of. Relationships with siblings can be difficult and it is normal to react to things out of anger. While it may seem helpless right now, there are options. Sometimes people need some time and space to cool down before addressing issues. It might be a good idea to give your brother that time and try to talk to him once tensions have cooled off. Some people find it helpful to write things down that they want to say to someone because it can help us organize our thoughts and figure out what is important to us. You can also call or chat with us anytime if you would like someone to talk to about how you might approach things with your brothers.

From what you mentioned, it sounds like dealing with your depression has been pretty tough and you are not feeling like you have much help with it. If you feel like it is something that could help, you could talk to your parents about wanting to see a counselor. Having someone that you can build a relationship to talk to regularly could be a good way for you to work through some of the tough feelings you have been dealing with. If you need someone to talk to in the moment, you can text "connect" to 741741 to talk to a counselor through a crisis text line. Having a support system and a safe place to express how you have been feeling can help you get some relief from the stress you have been going through at home and think of some possible ways to change your situation. You can consider talking to someone that you trust like a friend or a school counselor. We can also be a listening ear for you anytime that you need it.

Please do not hesitate to call (1-800-786-2929) or chat (1800runaway.org) if you want to talk more about your situation or you just need someone to listen!
-NRS

[Guest]

My mom is signing me up for tutor and giving me milk i dont like. i like a different kind of milk better than mine and i am afriad she will think she wasted her money on that garbage. i only want to temporarily run away and go back if she promises not to give me my milk and tutor.

[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. 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 mom doesn't quite understand you when you try to express how you feel about the milk and tutor. 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 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]

in 12 aswell
i want to run away cause i hate my house

[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. 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. 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]

Hello, I am 12 years old and want to runaway at home. My mom can be a massive d***, however, my dad is actually very understanding. She never takes my opinion into account. She won't let me get any kind of emotional help. I don't want to leave, and she is not abusive, but my motivation to stay with her is slowly deteriorating. Is there any way you can help me build up with my relationship with her? If so, than thank you.

[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. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. From what we understand about your story we can suggest perhaps looking at family therapy and seeing if she would be willing to listen there. We also offer conference calling where you can speak with your parent but also with one of our call center people we try and make sure you and your family are heard and everyone feels like they said what they needed to. 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 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

i feel horrible cause i feel like im treated unfair because my brothers get me in trouble for stuff i dont do and i feel like i want to run away

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We’re sorry to hear that your brothers are mistreating you and getting you in trouble for stuff that you did not do. That isn’t fair and it is not how you should be treated and it's understandable why you would want to leave. Running away can be dangerous and we try to make sure that the people who talk with us are safe. If you want to talk about running away, how to do it safely, and what other options you might have, please give us a call on our 24/7 hotline 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I what to die

[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. It 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.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but 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. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi, Im 12 and i want to get away from my parents. I hate them with all my heart. i've only been hit twice, yelled at a LOT and compaired to other kids more than i've been yelled at. i recently found out my parents do weed and i hate them even more for that. twice my dad has gotten drunk on days where i happened to be having fun for like the 4th time in a long long time. I want to get away please help

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to us. If you feel like you are in an unsafe environment you can contact Child Help at 1800-422-4453 to report any abuse that is taking place. It sounds like you are having some issues with your parents. It may be a good idea to try and have a conversation with your parents.
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.
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]

Hey, I'm a 12-year-old child and I've considered running away for a while now, mainly due to my mother. I'm not sure whether to consider her methods of discipline abusive, but she is consistently slapping, hitting, shoving, and yelling at me. In response, I've dealt with suicidal thoughts and actions. school is always a big reliever due to the fact that I don't have to see her. My dad is always at work and out of town, but when he does see this happening he does nothing and encourages it. they're old school, I guess. I want to seek help, but I can't talk to anybody. the counselors at my school will most likely file a report and when my parents find out, it's game over for me. I remember getting yelled at and grounded for calling suicided hotline when I was in fifth grade. The main reason why I hesitate to revise help from anything that involves the police coming to my house or a phone call to my parents. I'm scared of my mom and I'm mentally and physically done with her beatings. She seems a lot closer to my step sister rather than her own daughter, me. I just don't wanna stay in that environment but I'm too scared to do anything about it.

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to us. It must be hard to be an environment where you don’t feel supported by your parents. If you feel like you are in an unsafe environment you can contact Child Help at 1800-422-4453 to report any abuse that is taking place. It sounds like you are having some issues with your parents. It may be a good idea to try and have a conversation with your parents or someone you trust about how you are feeling. You can also text NAMI at 741741 to have nonjudgmental person to talk to about what’s going on at home and discuss your suicidal thoughts.
You also mentioned running away. 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.
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.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]

hi im a 12 year old boy i want to run away because of my abusive mom do you have any ideas of what i should do

[ccsmod11]

Hi, and 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. Please know that no one deserves 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.

When harm or abuse happen at home, you have the right to report it. If you feel like reporting is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. Child Help USA (1-800-422-4453) is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering. You can also reach out to someone at your school like a trusted teacher our counselor about what you’re going through.

You mentioned wanting to runaway which is understandable. 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.

If you'd like to talk in more detail about your situation, would like us to help you find a safe place or develop a safety plan or have any questions please call 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us (www.1800RUNAWAY.org). We’re here to listen and here to help in whatever way we can. We hope to hear from you soon. NRS

[Guest]

I am a 11 year old girl sometimes I feel like everything I do is not enough for my mom, dad, no one. Sometimes I think what if I kill myself then will they really care. But other times I really think hard about beging a run away

[ccsmod4]

I am a 11 year old girl

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. It sounds like you are feeling sad over the way you are being treated by your mom and dad. So much so that hurting yourself has crossed your mind. We understand that sometimes things can start to become overwhelming and it’s difficult to know just how to bring about change. You matter. Your life matters. Things may seem bleak now but that could always change with communication. It is times like these where it would be nice to have a listening ear. NRS is here to listen and here to help. It is also important that you remember to exercise self- care. You did a great job by reaching out to NRS. It took some courage to do that. Good for you.

Sometimes when things are too stressful it might help to talk with someone about it.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are free to explore other options. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. You are not alone in this.

If you would like to talk more in detail about your situation 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. 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.

Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 12 and I think I want to run away, my grandmas who has adopted me continues to hit, call me names, and kick me. I don’t think I can take anymore of her ********. She’s so verbally abusive I want to die because of the things she says. Just recently I was asking my sis for somthing and I playfully punched her arm my grandmas say this and came over and started kicking me and calling me fat. I’m just done with her and I need some help.

[ccsmod10]

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