Calling CPS on my parents..?

[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. 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 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. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

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

I'm a 14 year old girl turning 15 on January 1st, I've lived with bulling ever since I started school. Recently the best family I had Died due to brain cancer that could not be operated on. This summer I was diagnosed with severe depression and i'm on 50 mgs of anti-depressents they don't help. I have two cats who help calm me down when I'm emotionally struggling. My parents have two children, me and my sister who is 5. I've been told everything is my fault and It's just mentally busing me I get called names by my mother and my father likes to tease me which does hurt me. I've gotten to the point where I planned my suicide several times but I don't due it because of my boyfriend. I've been with him for almost 3 years now and he helps me but, once I go to that place of denial I can't get out of it. I don't know what to do at this point, I think suicide is the option but it isn't. Do I call CPS and make a report does this count as child in dangerment? Most of the things I have my parents bought would I be able to keep them or not? I really don't want to loose contact with my boyfriend. Please help me in this situation.

[ccsmod15]

Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to us. We are so sorry to hear that your siblings have had such a tough time with your mom. It sounds like you have been concerned about your siblings for some time, and you have questions about who to report to anonymously. It is never ok for anyone to make your siblings unsafe, and it sounds like they have a good source of support with you.

You have the option of filing an abuse report with your local child abuse organization, and you can discuss your concerns about being identified with the person taking the report. Being anonymous when you report does not make the report any les valid. When anyone makes a report, the most important factor is to make sure you are able to provide as much detailed information as possible about the incidences of abuse that you have observed. Organizations like Child Help can help you identify the child protective services organization near you if you feel comfortable reaching out to them directly. They can be reached at 1-800-422-4453, or by visiting their website at https://www.childhelp.org/ . You can also reach out to us if you want to talk about what’s been going on. We can also help you file the report if you would like our support in doing so.

Please know that we are here to support you. We cannot tell you what to do, but we can do our best to share resources that can support you in figuring out the next steps you can take to help your siblings stay safe. You can reach us 24/7 by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929), or via chat by visiting our website at https://www.1800runaway.org/ . We are here for you. Stay safe!
-NRS

I'm worried about the safety of my siblings. I have four siblings, the middle three are adopted, the littlest is my only biological sister. The middle and adopted three are 2 boys, 11 and 13, and a girl, 8. I am the oldest and my parents are biologically mine. The three middle sibling are mistreated by my mom almost on a daily basis. She'll get mad at them for no good reason. Ex: playing an educational school game they are required to play by a teacher. She slapped both of my brothers across the faces and left them both in tears when this happened. Often times my 11 year old brother, who is emotionally sensitive, will begin trembling, crying, and has trouble breathing like he will pass out when my mom treats him this way. My mom has pinned down my 8 year old sister and beat her up over a lie she told. The sad thing is that my mom treats her biological children, my littlest sister and I perfectly fine. I'm worried that her treatment of my adopted siblings is becoming dangerous to them. Them getting slapped, punched, choked, and shoved is a normal thing, though not quite daily. My dad is mostly kind to them but sometimes will lose his temper at them. He is at work a lot though. I just am not sure who I can talk to this about who won't tell my mom I have done so.

[ccsmod15]

Hello,

Thank you ever so much for reaching out to us. We are so sorry to hear that things at home with your parents has become so painful, both emotionally and physically for you. We want you to know that you deserve to live in a space where you feel safe, and it is never ok for anyone to place your safety in jeopardy. Please know that while we cannot tell you what to do, we will do our best to share information that may be helpful.

It sounds like you haven’t felt supported at home with your parents, and you’ve self-injured as well as contemplated suicide. We want you to know that there are organizations, much like ours, that are available if you wish to talk about what you’ve been experiencing. Organizations like The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available by phone at 1.800.273.TALK (8255) and by visiting https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ , are there to provide you support when you’re in a crisis. You’ve mentioned instances where you’ve been hit and been made to feel unsafe at home. You have the right to report anyone that is hurting you to your local child protective services, regardless of your religion. It is not ok for anyone to hurt you or make you feel unsafe. Know that organizations like Child Help, available by phone at 1.800.422.4453 as well as at https://www.childhelp.org/ can help you identify your local child protective services office if you feel comfortable making an abuse report. You also discussed concerns that you may be depressed. It is really great that you’ve been so proactive to check in on yourself by trying some self-assessments online, and we would encourage you to explore whether there are mental health resources in your area that can support your efforts to find out whether you are clinically depressed. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), available by phone at 1.800.950.6264, by texting NAMI to 741741, or visiting them online at https://www.nami.org/Home , can help support you as you explore ways to take care of your mental health. Much like us at the National Runaway Safeline, these organizations are here to support you. Please know that you are not alone.

Whatever you decide, we will do our best to support you and help you stay safe. You are welcome to reach out to us if you need help identifying resources that can support you, or if you are in a crisis and need someone to talk to. We’re here to listen, here to help. Stay safe!

-NRS

I retook it:

26 points


Scores 20 and greater suggest severe depression; patients typically should have immediate initiation of pharmacotherapy and expedited referral to mental health specialist.

Functionally, the patient finds it is “extremely difficult” to perform life tasks due to their symptoms.

WARNING: This patient is having thoughts concerning for suicidal ideation or self-harm, and should be probed further, referred, or transferred for emergency psychiatric evaluation as clinically appropriate and depending on clinician overall risk assessment.


Gosh, I'm so sorry for derailing this thread. Please feel free to leave my additional comments out! It's just for some background info.

This is the 16 year old female again, I wanted to add something:


(EDIT: I've never been diagnosed for depression. I'm not sure that I deserve that. I took a PHQ-9 questionnaire on September 10, 2019 and had a 17/27 and was told "that moderately severe clinical depression is likely". I've become worse since then so I'll retake it and see what the score has become.)

I'm a 16 year old female. My days consist of being berated, hit, and verbal, mental, as well as psychological abuse. I have other siblings but they do not suffer, I'm the black sheep of this family. I began self harming through cutting in 2018, at 13 years old. There were some "off times" where I resorted to hitting or biting myself due to not having access to blades, however I have started cutting once again with countless blades and a utility knife. I have suicidal ideation everyday, and have attempted suicide multiple (secret) times, but I have come to the conclusion that I will not kill myself due to my devotion to God, no matter how much I want to. Alas, I still engage in self injury and mutilation and I aim for the brink of death, but not quite death in itself.

I've expressed my wish to commit suicide only two times before, both at 12-13 years old, begging my parents on my knees to love me and understand me.
"Do it." was the reply. They thought I wouldn't.

This issue is only with my parents. My extended family, primarily on my mother's side, love and cherish me. Unfortunately, they're across the world in a different country, and I've seen them only once in 7 years.

The reason I have never reported anything is because I always held on to the hope that when I woke up one day, we'll all get along well. My parents would ask how my day is going then I'd sit down at dinner for a meal with my family; laughing together. That I wouldn't be told to go to hell, that I wouldn't be cursed at and hit when trying to explain myself. That my bitter days would be left in the past.

Another reason I'm afraid to report is due to my religion. No, it's not my religion that's holding me back, but people's misconceptions. I love my God, as you know now, the reason why I won't end my life. Religion plays no part in this, I'm not forced to do anything that has anything to do with belief, but what will people think when they see a girl like me? I don't fit the mold.

I've woken up from my delusion now. I'm the villain of my family, no matter what I do. I would run away, but I live in a bad area and I'm sure I'd show up dead. Even after anything, I want my family to live pleasantly without me. I don't want this to be something that weighs on their mind, that I'm such a burden, and for this to darken their days. But I'm sure their quality of life will be better without me, so I guess it's quite inevitable.


I apologize for my ramble. I'm not sure if the reply to this will be one made by a person, but if it is, thank you for reading what no one else has heard.

[ccsmod0]

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 with your parents. 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).
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

I live with my parents, grandma and two younger sisters. I absolutely hate it when my parents fight. Its almost always about money, about my dad spending all his paycheck on who knows what. He also take money away from my grandma, and rarely pays her back. He

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to NRS,
It seems like you have been through a lot of abuse recently and you are sick of it. You don’t deserve to be treated that way by either set of parents. Physical abuse like you described is not OK, but neither is the emotional and verbal abuse you’ve been through with your dad and step-mom. Much less the attempts to make you partake in drugs and alcohol. These are not OK ways to treat you and you deserve a safe place to call home.
Child abuse reporting is an option for you from how you describe the situation. Child/Family Services is there to try and protect you and help to make the situation better. Emotional/Verbal abuse can be harder to prove in the case of where you currently live. So if you have recordings of your mom calling you the n word and coercing you to drink that could be helpful. If that isn’t possible we recommend starting a journal where you document dates and actions that could be considered abuse so that you have specific events recorded you can point to if an investigation starts. For more information about child abuse and reporting https://www.childhelp.org/ is a great resource for finding out what your options are and the possible results of reporting.
We are also here to listen to the full story and discuss other options for you to cope or safe places you might be able to go. We can also assist in reporting the abuse on your behalf as well. We are here to listen and sometimes that can be helpful to get everything off your chest as well. You deserve to be listened to and supported and we hope that this can be the start of healing and improvement for you. Our 24/7 hotline can be reached at 1-800-786-2929 or you can chat with us 24/7 as well at 1800ruanway.org.
We wish you good luck and hope to hear from you again soon,
NRS.

Hi, im 15 and I just moved in with my dad ( not biologically but he raised me) and my step mom. Before I was living with my mom and step dad and they would beat me and choke me and throw stuff at me, slap me, tell me I ruin everything, call me negative names all that. My mom didn’t want me to move with my dad because once when I was 11 him and my step mom got me drunk. But ever since I’ve been living with them it’s a constant battle. My step mom loves to remind me that my bio mom doesn’t love me or care ab me. Im biracial and she would constantly call me the n work and tell me to pick Cotten and think it was funny. I have the responsibility of cleaning our entire house every day and these people are VERY MESSY. It gets very exhausting because my step mom doesn’t work or do anything and does cook for me only for her and my dad and sister. I tried to talk to my dad but he said some really hurtful things that lead to me having an anxiety attack. They called the police on me and then after that they’ve been calling me a disappointment and and embarrassment. I’ve already been hospitalized for suicide attempt. My step mom and dad always try to get me to drink and smoke with them. I hate it here but the only other place I have to stay is my boyfriends and they wouldn’t let that happen.Living here really suck and makes me hate life but my boyfriend and his family are very supportive. I am tired of this. I really need help.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at NRS. It was very brave of you to share a bit about your situation and ask for help. It sounds like your mom has placed her responsibilities as a parent on to you which is a lot to take on. It is really unfair that you have to act as the adult of the household. You deserve to be getting help and support during this challenging situation.

You do have the option of making a report to child protective services. We know this can be scary decision to make but you do not have to do it alone. The goal of CPS is generally to provide the needed services and support to ensure you and your little sister are safe and taken care of. If you would like to learn more about the reporting process or would like some help with making the report you can speak to an advocate at Child Help, 1-800-422-4453 childhelp.org.

Having a support system is really important. It would be a helpful step to reach out to friends, family members, religious leader, or a school counselor for additional support and a safe place to talk as you take your next steps.

We truly want to be a support for you as you decide on your next steps. We are available 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out again by phone or chat if you would like to talk more in-depth about your situation and explore your options. You can contact us by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services at www.1800runaway.org.

-NRS

I am 16 years old and I live with my mom and little sister. I take care of her most of the days while my mom just sleeps. She makes me wash dishes, clothes, clean, and sh won't do nothing. I'm sick and tired of her all she does is scream and hit us. My little sister is traumatized. I NEED HELP NOW!

[ccsmod3]

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. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
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.

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 LGBT 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. Best of luck.