I’m 18, I’m in FL Can i be forced to go back home if I choose to leave?

[Guest]

I’m 18, I live in Florida, I am living with some strange circumstances. I’m seeing a psychiatrist because I have depression and I experience suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self harm daily, but I don’t act on them. My family makes it worse. I want to leave home, but I’m worried that my parents (mom, dad, and two stepparents) might fill out a missing persons report or inform law enforcement about my diagnosis’ and they believe i have learning disabilities and that I’m incapable of doing almost anything myself, even though the IQ testing said that was not true. I’m basically just scared that I’ll leave but be forced to come back home or that I’ll be hospitalized for trying to leave in the first place. I already know who I would be living with after I leave and that they are good people and that they would tech me what I need to know to be a functioning adult and they would help me get through whatever trauma I endured. However my parents don’t like me seeking help from any adults but themselves and they really don’t like me talking to this person or the person at all. I don’t know what the therapist would do if i told them this and I don’t know what would happen if i left. Are there additional sources that i can contact for help to make sure nothing crazy happens when i try to leave? Or any additional sources I can look at for help, or more information.

[ccsmod9]

Since you are 18 you are more than likely considered a legal adult which means that you can move out if you want to and you won’t be considered a runaway. As a legal adult, you have a right to make your own decisions about where you live. We can help you make a plan for how to deal with your situation and help you find resources to land on your feet. Having a plan for where you will live and how you will survive once you move out can be very helpful. Moving can be a huge step, and you don’t have to be alone. Some steps you can take towards independence might be to find employment if you don’t have an income, or to save up money for moving expenses. It can also be helpful to research rents in your area, find a roommate, or make a budget. Another thing you might want to consider is what kinds of things you depend on your parents for currently such as tuition expenses for school, or health insurance, and whether they would continue to provide those things after you leave. There may be social service agencies in your area that can help meet some of these needs, such as Transitional Living Programs, a kind of shelter where young adults can live and get services to help them transition to independent living. We are here to listen and help however we can. You cn also explain the mental health issues at hand and maybe have your therapist fill out a document to talk about the mental illness signing you off as okay to live on your own.
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