I'm scared

[Guest]

I don't know where else to turn to I'm 22 years old and I have no one to talk to about running away. The thing is I dropped out of college after 2 years and never told my mom. I'm scared of telling her but I know that not telling her only makes it worse. I want to run away because if I tell her she will be ashamed of me and I can't bear that. My mom is also under a lot of stress and I know she cries a lot. I have to run away but I'm scared and I have nowhere to go and no money. Please I need help I don't know where else to turn.

[ccsmod1]

Re: I'm scared

Thanks for contacting us. It sounds like there’s a lot going on. We’re sorry to hear that you’re under so much stress.

First, just so you know, legally at 22 it’s not longer considered running away. Because you’re an adult, you’re allowed to leave your home and/or hometown. It sounds like you’re nervous though that your mom will be disappointed that you dropped out of college a few years ago and you’re feeling like leaving might be your best option. It’s certainly a difficult thing to feel like your parents are ashamed of you. Have you ever had to tell your mom anything difficult before? Is there someone that might be able to help you talk to your mom?

If you were to leave, where do you think you will go? Where will you stay? How will you survive? You mentioned that you have no where to go and no money. It’s certainly difficult to be out there on your own. There may be programs to help you get on your feet, but due to your age, you probably wouldn’t qualify for youth related programs. There are occasionally housing programs that work with under 24, but these are fairly rare. If you want to look for resources a good website to try is www.211.org. You can put in a city and state. If that location has a 211, it will pop up on the bottom. These agencies often have websites that have their databases online. It can be tricky to try to figure out how to search some of the databases, but most of them have an extensive list of resources for adults. You can also call the local hotline that’s listed if you wanted to talk to someone directly. If there’s not a 211 in the area you’re in/want to be in, it doesn’t mean there aren’t resources available.

If you were to leave, do you plan on keeping in touch with your mom? If not, how do you think she will react to not having contact with you? Would it be better for your mom to not know where you are as opposed to knowing you dropped out of school? These might be good questions for you to think about before making any decisions.

While we are mostly a hotline for youth, you’re more than welcome to call us if you wanted to talk to someone directly about how you’re feeling and what’s going on. We'll do our best to help you think about different options and come up with a plan that you're comfortable with. We may also be able to provide you with local resources to help you out (especially if you don'thave a 211 in your area). We’re available 24/7. Call anytime.

[Unregistered]

Tell me what to do plz

It's hard n I'm scared I keep forgiving but the more I forgive the worser I'm hurt my own parents make fun of me they hit me n all types of stuff n Eva time I go to school I fill like home cuz it's me making other kids laugh Eva day I fill like either killing my self but it's a sin n I dnt wnt to go to hell n then I try to run away but I cnt I tell my great great grandma but that's the only person I'm not afaird to tell I remember when I was 5 my mom wuld make Finnic my reading n my dad would punch me in my stomach just cuz I couldn't get a word write n he says it love what kind of love is this when u knock the constant breath out it son each I pray to god will he make rich so I can leave here or take my life n bring me to hevan lord plz hlp me on my journey I need someones advice

[ccsmod6]

Re: Tell me what to do plz

Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Switchboard. We are sorry to hear about what has been going on at home and at school. It sounds like you’re in a really terrible situation and you feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to. It must be pretty tough dealing those things and to feel like you’re alone. You stated that your great grandmother is the one person you don’t feel afraid of talking to but you cannot tell her what’s going on. Is there a reason why you cannot talk to your great grandmother about what is happening? It is not fair that you have to endure your parents making fun of you. How long have this been taking place? Have you told anyone about your father punching you in the stomach? Have you been hit by your father on other occasions?

No one deserves to get hit or made fun of. You do have the right to want to live in a safe environment. Is there any alternative safe housing (i.e., friends, relatives) options available? If you need assistance with trying to locate a safe place, you can always give us a toll-free call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are available 24 hours 7 days. Our hotline is confidential and anonymous. We are available to provide resources or a lending ear if you just need someone to talk to. In addition to our hotline, we can always discuss counseling resources if that is something you are interested in.

We look forward to hearing from you so we can try to explore some options.

~NRS