I'm 12 and I want to run Away.

[ccsmod15]

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to NRS. It's great that you have close friends who you can talk to and relate to but it sounds like you are still going through a lot dealing with school stress and parents who don't make you feel comfortable at home.
As for running away, there are shelters and community resources who specifically service the LGBTQIA+ population, however, before you reach that point, there are resources to help you talk to your parents so you can feel more supportive. TheTrevorProject.org is a great resource with guidance on coming out, support centers, and educational materials. Additionally, NRS offers conference calls to help mediate difficult conversations between youth and their parents.
Lastly, although you mentioned all of your friends are minors, there are other trusted adults who may be able to help your situation. We encourage you to reach out to your school counselor or a teacher you trust to help you navigate your home problems, as well as address your grades and school stress.
If you'd like us to expand on any of the above resources as well as explore other options, please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat us at 1800runaway.org. We are available 24/7.
Best wishes and we hope to hear from you soon.

[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 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.
You mentioned some things that raise concern for your safety and well-being. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it. We are not experts on the issue, but generally once it's been reported, social services will either decide whether or not to take the case and further investigate. If they do take the case, they will send out someone from child protective services to do an investigation (interviewing people in the household) and from there they will decide the level of danger within the household. It generally ranges from no danger (the youth stays in the home, some services are given, and the case is closed), moderate danger (they will provide family services with possible temporary displacement) and high danger (they will remove the youth from the home and offer certain services).

If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering.

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

hi, i have a habit of having suicidal thoughts,i have depression i want to run away my mom calls me dumb and she uses me,she slaps me,embarrass me she also does not want me anymore and and also she wont let me get out the house and says i cant choose my friends but my sibilings can...i dont want to live here anymore i just want to run away and never be seen again or i might just end my life i cant do ittt.

Trans FtM here, 12, turning 13 in January.

I've been considering running away as I can't get good grades in school and my parents will take away all forms of contact i have with my online friends, people i look up to, and just the things that make me happy in general if i don't "work harder". They've told me to occupy my time by doing schoolwork when they take my stuff away, which has changed absolutely nothing in the past, and has just brought my grades down, of all things. My parents are also borderline transphobic, to the point where i don't feel comfortable in my own home anymore. Hearing my deadname all the time and being nagged 24/7 puts a whole bunch of stress on me. Unfortunately I don't really have anywhere to go, and being a homeless LGBTQIA+ person in the US wouldn't exactly be the best route for me to go on with. I have no clue what I'm supposed to do and I'm looking for guidance. All my online friends are minors, and the oldest close friend I have is around 16, and lives around 5 hours away. Their situation is a lot like mine, so I've been considering possibly running off with them.

[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 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.
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 forum 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

Hi I think my parents are medical neglecting me and I want to run away.

Hi so my mom and dad has never brought me to a doctor for a injury. For example a couple years ago I badly sprained my wrist and they did not bring me to a doctor even tho it was bad. Another example is again around 7 years ago I sprained my ankle pretty bad to where I was limping badly and they did nothing they just said "stop worrying it will heal" and now this time I injured my back and I have been complaining for a week and a half now and they are not even thinking of me getting checked out. They said it will go away stop complaining. So I really want to run away because I feel as if they just don't care that I need to be checked out. I know where to go I would go to my boyfriends house because he would take care of me. Should I run away and take matters in my own hands

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and 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 1-800-273-8255 (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) is always available if you need someone to talk to about how you have been feeling. Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. 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. We are available 24/7 for immediate support by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat at 1800runaway.org to talk through your situation and explore all of your possible options.

We look forward to hearing from you soon so that we can help,
NRS

I'm 12 years old and I have a severe case of depression and anxiety disorder. My parents abuse me by throwing things or hitting me with things. I think I'm going to go insane if this keeps up, because I'm already believeing that since they said they will kill me, that someday, they're going to shoot me or something. My parents call me a ***** and a ******* prostitute or whatever comes to mind. They hate me for what I look like and call me ugly, say they wish I was never born, so and so on.
But, things aren't lifting for me. I'm taking my dog (which I bought with my own money, but it's obviously "theirs") and leaving. I'm going to find a job out there... and I was planning out my trip, until I found you.
Please help me NRS!

i want to kill myself my mom hates me and I want to runaway I'm 12 please help me

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen.
Wow It sounds like you are going through a really difficult time and we want you to know you are not alone.
What you are describing sounds like abuse which you do not deserve and do have the right to make a report. We know you mentioned not having a phone, but you can go to Childhelp.org and make a report online. If you are in immediate danger you can chat with us online and we can call the police on your behalf. We want you to know that your safety is the top concern. If you decide to runaway to your grandparents you may want to consider how you would get there and what would be the safest option for you.
We hope that 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. Best of luck!
NRS

hi. im 12 years old, im black, my dad isnt in the picture, my mother beats me, i want to run away ! like now! because she beats me, and she makes fun of me, embarrassing me, calling me words i don't wanna say on here. I can hardly see rn because I'm crying. i need mental help but she needs it more than me. my life will be ruined if i leave but i have money saved up and I'm gonna run away to my grandmothers house today if i don't chicken out. but she took my phone so i cant contact family or anything. idk what to do

[ccsmod0]

Thanks for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. You made a great first step to finding the help that you may need. It sounds like you are going through a lot and the people around you are not being supportive. You deserve to be treated with respect, to experience acceptance and to feel safe.

We want you to know that you are strong for having gone through so much already. It is perfectly okay to deviate from what others or the common population believe to be “normal”. You’re 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. If you ever want to talk more about what you are experiencing or get additional support we are here 24/7 at 1800-RUNAWAY or our live chat service. The GLBT National Hotline at 1888-843-4564 is another option to gain great support from those that are familiar with the issues and experiences of those that are also a part of the LGBTQ community. You can access their website link bellow to utilize all the other possibly useful resources they have to offer: http://www.glbthotline.org/

You mentioned that you were considering the options that may be best for you. By all means, if you do fear for your safety either now or in the future, do not hesitate to take the necessary steps to regain your safety. This may mean calling the authorities or possibly reporting the things you may be experiencing. Other options to think about may be other family members, friends, or a trusted adults that would be able to provide you with support or a safe place to stay. It is great that you thinking ahead. Should you feel like leaving home is best, it may be a good idea to think about how you will provide necessities for yourself such as food, clothing, showers, healthcare and other basic needs. You may want to also consider how your parent’s will react to you leaving without permission. We are not legal experts here, but typically as a minor (under the age of 1 you need permission from your parents to leave home. It is not illegal to runaway, but it would mean that your parents could file a runaway report with the police. This is usually done in an effort to try to return you home as the police are required to do so.

If you can give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY or reach out through Live Chat we can try to find some youth shelters that may be near your city and state by utilizing our database of resources. We can also try to call out to shelters with you or on your behalf to advocate for you.

Stay Strong,
NRS

[ccsmod4]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you are in a tough situation and may be looking for some options to help cope with everything that has been going on. Moving can sometimes be a difficult change to adjust to. It also sounds like the relationship with your mother has been hard on you emotionally and has been very frustrating for you. We’re glad you reached out. It is also important that you remember to exercise self- care.
It is times like these that it might be nice comfort to have a listening ear.
NRS is here to listen and here to help.
We would be glad to speak with you about strategies or options that might help you to cope better with your situation. It’s important to also practice self-care.
We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. Sometimes having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of.

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 about your situation and 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 did a wonderful job reaching out today. Good for you.
We look forward to hearing from you.


Take care,
NRS

I am a 12 year old girl that wants to run away because I am bi and my mom and dad do not except who I love I want to go to LA and live with a friend I have over there I really do not want to stay my mom treats me so bad and my dad doesn’t talk to me I have no ones support they took away my phone because they found one of my guy friends and pics that I would take of my body but fully clothes they want to send me off to Mexico is where my family is from I am more mature then a regular 12 year old I have been through things kids my age shouldn’t have to I also have a condition called alopecia meaning I don’t have hair so I have been through bullying and I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and I really need help to go to LA

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

You are not wasting our time. We are so glad you reached out for help. That can be a hard step to make, so you are already showing so much strength. It sounds like things are really difficult at home. It sounds like your Mom and Stepdad put a lot of pressure on you. You don’t deserve to be treated like that. It’s great that you reached out to your dad about how you are feeling, and it sounds like he wants to help.

No one should be threatening to kill you. One option you can try is filing an abuse report. Child Help is a great resource that can help you through the process and answer any questions about the process that you may have. You can text or call them at 1-800-422-4453 or they have a live chat option at https://www.childhelp.org/childhelp-hotline/.

It might also be a good idea to create a safety plan if you ever feel unsafe at home. This could be a neighbor or friend that you trust to help you. If you don’t have anyone to go to, National Safe Place is a great resource to make sure you have somewhere safe to go. You can text for 24-hour text-for-support for teens in crisis. Text SAFE and your current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357) for immediate help.

Another option to look into is getting the custody changed to your Dad, so you can live with him instead of your Mom. If you need help getting legal services, you can call or chat with us and we can help you find some numbers in your area.

Mallory Hyneman: If you would like to speak more about your situation or any other options we are available 24/7 (1-800-RUNAWAY or www.1800runaway.org ). Again that was brave of you to reach out for help. We are here to listen and help.

Good Luck!
NRS

h-hi –I’m really nervous to do this because if my parents found out I would go through serious hell my name is Daniya I am a 12 year old year old black girl, I just got my phone taken because I wasn't allowed to have social media and I didn't find that fair because I want to be free my mom took away my phone and T.V and if she found out I wanted to run away I'm afraid it would upset her I want to run away so bad but running away for somebody like me who can't talk to my own parents without shaking isn't capable of running away I have a friend that has told me could live with her but....at the time I had no courage I’m very tempted to run away all the anger I’ve built up since the 4th grade I have a little brother so if I left now it would only cause more stress my parents work and I just wanna be one less thing they have to worry about I’m afraid to do this I’m afraid to talk to people I hate anything involving me to be the center of attention I’m not sure how much more of this I can take I have cut my wrists when I was 11 but when she found out I did that it only made things worse I talk to my grandma because she’s the only person who may really understand the secrets I tell her have never been led out to my mother but I live in Arkansas and she lives in North Carolina how could I possibly run away there at this point I’m crying but my eye really hurts its swollen my arms are numb and my neck is cramped with a lump in it I was gonna wait until I was old enough to run away but I’m not sure if I can take it anymore I have 30 $ but I have a check that needs to be cashed out if I ran away I think I should dye my hair just so I wouldn't be recognized this will be the first thing I do with all my courage I had a panic attack last night I stress over schoolwork and I just really wanna run away from this life because it seems like ever since we moved my life has just gotten worst on the occasion my mom is mad at me and I never know why sometimes I’ll go outside and sit on the sidewalks and cry or to escape my depression I’ll go to my friend’s house and be happy her mom’s really nice....hopefully you guys can help me please.....