I am 14 and want to runaway to an orphanage

[Guest]

Thank you for helping. And also im writing it here because for some reason it wouldnt let me edit my other one. But i think im feeling a bit better now besides the run away part, but still thank you for helping.

[Guest]

Hello, I am 12 years old and I want to runaway from home.

[ccsmod4]

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

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. NRS is here to listen and here to help.
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 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I am 15 and would like to know if I could be put into a foster home or an adoption home I have a family but I can't take the drama anymore and I don't want to go down the same paths as them my father has been arrested many times and my brother can't stop smoking weed and I don't want to be like them so can you please help my birthday is in January that's when I probably won't be able to take anymore of it.

[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

[Guest]

Hi I'm a 10 year old girl. I've been thinking about running away for about 2-3 years. I don't really get abused. I live with my dad,his brother, and my great grandma. And I'm kind of suicidal. By what I said earlier I don't really get abused but my dad sometimes like play fights and I tell him that it hurts but..he doesn't listen he tells me that it doesn't hurt. Then again I live in a Bipolar household one minute someone's happy and nice then the second they are yelling and mean. I also have depression, anxiety, ADHD, and I'm also bipolar. My school causes lots of stress because I sometimes get yelled at if I don't finish all my work. I don't want to run away for one reason and that's because I'll have nowhere to go! I was looking to see if I could walk to an orphanage or something like that but nothing's close enough. And where I live in Florida people aren't the "best". I just want to live a better life with a new family! And I already have wrote down what I'm bringing with me. Once I get 100 dollars I may or may not run away. Please tell me what I should do!

[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 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.
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.
If you’re feeling unsafe and need a safe place to go and talk to someone, you may wish to visit The National Safeplace website (www.nationalsafeplace.org). This organization provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. You can look up your city and state to see if there are any safe places near you listed. So that is always an option if you feel like talking to someone in person about what has been going on or if you just need of a safe place to stay. You can also use their TXT 4 HELP free service offered to all youth in crisis. It’s quick, easy, safe, and confidential:

· Text the word “safe” and your current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357).
· Within seconds, you will receive a message with the closest Safe Place site and phone number for the local youth agency.
· For immediate help, reply with “2chat” to text interactively with a trained counselor.
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

[Guest]

hello im 12 years old , i want to runaway from home i dont wanna talk about why/ but i am scared too and dont know where to go, im currently sneaking on my school chromebook after getting hit for no reason pls reply. BTW im a girl and i dont know how this program works and i dont want my parents to find out about this

[ccsmod13]

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. NRS is a safe and confidential space for young people to receive support and resources. We are a non-directive and non-judgmental space for you talk through your situation and explore your options. We are here 24/7 to listen and help.

You mentioned some things that sound like you are concerned for your safety at home. If you are experiencing any abuse or neglect at home one option to get help could be to make an abuse report to child protective services. This can be a scary decision to make sometimes, but you do not need to do it alone. You can speak with an advocate at an organization called Child Help to learn more about the reporting process and what it might be look like for you, www.childhelp.org.

A helpful start could also be to reach out to any friends, family members, or trusted adults. Having a support system is very important during difficult situations especially if you are considering running away from home. Sometimes just having a safe space to talk about your feelings can help you brainstorm new options and ideas you had not previously thought of.

We are available 24/7 for immediate support by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat at 1800runaway.org. Please do not hesitate to reach out again if you would like to talk more about your situation and explore all of your possible options.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

To be honest....I feel like a HUGE problem for my dad who is getting back on his feet and while I am typing this down he is having a brake down right now and I.....feel like a problem to everyone I know and just to say I'm a 14 year old girl from a native family that is broken and I feel like its because of me and I don't want my dad to know that I want to just run away from all of this and save him from me being a problem and no one in my family is stable for me to stay with and my mom is broken to everybody I know is broken............how do I deal with this.............

[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 dad. You are not a problem and you matter. 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.
The easiest way to leave home is with your parents' 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.
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 email 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 would like to look into further emotional support options, you can text with a crisis worker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24/7 by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
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

[Guest]

Hi, I need help. So, I'm a 12 year old girl, I get really bad grades, I have Major Depressive Disorder, I (sometimes) cut, and I've ran away before. My parent's CONSTANTLY fight. And I ALWAYS fight with my parents and siblings, I have bad anger issues. Lately, I have been cutting and punching walls, or scratching some weird stuff on my arm. I want to run away AGAIN. I have a detailed plan, but as the person above says, I want to stay in touch, maybe give a call ONCE assuring them I'm fine. I can't take this anymore, I live in V//rginia Beach, could you find me a youth shelter to go to that won't call the cops?? Please help, I'm going to end up killing myself..I plan to run away during Christmas time, because I'll have plenty of money. OR you could find me runaway buddies, preferably (I'm 12 btw). PLEASE HELP IM GOING CRAZY!!!

[ccsmod13]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what is going on. It sounds like you are going through a really tough time. It must be difficult to endure fighting with your parents and siblings. We understand how family dynamics can become stressful at times. You could consider having a conversation with your parents while having another trusted adult or family member present to mediate the conversation. You may also like to consider reaching out to family and friends to potentially stay with them temporarily, as being out on the streets alone, during the winter can be risky and unsafe. In relation to your mental health, you may also like to consider seeking professional assistance from a counselor or therapist.

We want to inform you that we are not legal experts, however we do have a great deal of experience working with runaway youth. Since you are 12 years old, you are still considered a minor in your state until you turn 18 years old. Knowing that, your parents could file a runaway report. If the police were to find you they would be obligated to bring you back to your parent’s house. If you were to temporarily stay with friends or family members, you may need your parents’ consent to do, or they could be charged with harboring a runaway.

We have provided a resource below for you:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a toll-free hotline that you can call when you are feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or thinking about killing yourself. You can also chat with them online if you choose to do so at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The telephone number is 1-800-273-8255.

We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help you by telephone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice on the forum to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail, please call or chat us soon.

We can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk or any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to runaway I was raped but my mom doesn’t care oh and also my bother touched me he also makes fun of me because I was raped and when I’m done with school I have to go straight home and clean it seems if no one gives a ********

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, it takes great courage to reach out and we are so glad that you decided to reach out to us.
It sounds like you are going through a really difficult time right now, and we want you to know you are not alone. It sounds like you have gone through a traumatic experience and you do not deserve to be made fun of for that. One option to consider would be for you to talk to a school counselor about what you have been through and what you have been dealing with at home. Even though most schools are virtual many counselors are still meeting with students. If you are unsure how to meet with your counselor, you could ask your teacher and they can point you in the right direction. One resource that may benefit you is called RAINN, which is the National sexual assault hotline. They can be reached at 1800-656-4673. We understand if you are afraid to talk on the phone they also have a way you can chat on their website at: www.rainn.org/.
We know you mentioned wanting to run away, we are not legal experts but we do have some information on what could happen. Because you are a minor your legal guardian could file a runaway report. If the police were to find you it is a possibility that you could be brought back home. If you have not already made a report for being raped, you do have the right to make a report.
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 available 24/7 by phone or by chat.
Stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 11. I want to run away to a foster home or orphanage. I leave tonight, pleas give me support. I have been child abused at age 3, and also emotionally abused everyday. I have been putting my plan together for a week and for people who need one here is my plan: First pack, then wait for everyone to fall asleep then get your stuff and sneak out for me its my back door, and then ur free! so how is my plan pleas comment as soon as you can!

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. Please know that it is not okay for anyone to abuse you. It was brave of you to contact us, and we will do our best to support you. You stated that you have been abused since you were three years old. You do not deserve to be treated this way. A resource that might be beneficial is the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. This is a 24-hour hotline with resources to aid in child abuse situations. You can call or text 1-800-422-4453. Their website is https://www.childhelp.org/childhelp-hotline/. You also mentioned that you have a plan to run away. Your safety is important to us, and we are available here at the National Runaway Safeline to talk to you more about your situation. You can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or we can live chat with you via instant message. Our website is https://www.1800runaway.org/. It took a lot of courage for you to reach out for help, and we are proud of you for doing so. We are available 24/7 to help and support you.

[Guest]

Hi, I was planning on "moving out" of my house and move to an orphanage up in New York, NYC, and I'm 12. My parents wouldn't seem bad to other kids but should I run away? I planned on doing it today.

[ccsmod2]

Thanks for reaching out to us. It seems like there must be some stressful things going on at home for you to be thinking about running away (even if your parents would not seem bad to other kids-it is your experience that matters). We are a non-directive agency; that means we won’t tell you what you should or should not do. We will help you figure out a plan that is best for you and feels right for you. There are a lot of things to consider making a plan to runaway and setting up an alternate living arrangement. We can talk through all those with you as well as explore other options you might want to consider before running away. We would like to talk with you and you can reach out to us anytime 24/7 on our confidential phone hotline at 1 (800) RUNAWAY or on a confidential chat through our website. We are here to help you and your reaching out is a courageous first step. Good luck.

[Guest]

Hello, I am 12 yrs old, and people my age would say my parents aren't the worst, but I think I have ADHD. I was planning on running away to New York because there's an orphanage there(actually tons). Should I go out, Google Maps says it takes 2 weeks and 4 days. Should I run?

[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.
If ADHD is a personal struggle for you it might help to get an official diagnosis from a mental health professional. It might be a good starting point to talk with a counselor at school about it. Another good resource for learning about mental health is https://nami.org/Home
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 email 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

[Guest]

Hello, I’m 13 and I want to run away from my dad he’s trying to send me to Haiti a dangerous country and not send my mother any money, and this is with all of my siblings, he verbally and physically abuses us. And I just wanna run away, then get wherever I’m in to get my siblings, and if I do try to give me to a close relative is there anything that I can do to not get out with that person?

[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. 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.
The easiest way to leave home is with your parents' 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.
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 email 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 would like to look into further emotional support options, you can text with a crisis worker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24/7 by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
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

[Guest]

Hey I am 17 and I want to run away from home

[ccsmod15]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are going through some intense stuff and we want to support you. Whether or not you feel like you need to run away is up to you and whether or not you feel safe where you are. We would be happy to help you in whatever way we can. We can provide referrals to mental health resources, shelters, legal advocacy, among other things. We can also just talk you through whatever your situation is and help you figure out what your options are. We aim to empower youths and we prioritize your safety and your well-being. If you are interested in anything that we have to offer, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

Hi im 13 and I want to run away as soon as possible. I did some research and apparently orphanages let kids stay until they are 17 or 18. The stuff that happens at home is pretty minor, like getting hit on the head, getting slapped, or just getting pushed. Once i am 17 I hope to join the military. Will a orphanage accept a runaway kid or are there other options?

[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 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.
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.
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

[Guest]

im 11 about to turn 12 and my parents dont trust me they go through my stuff 24/7 and my mom slaps me when she gets really mad and its starting to scare me im planning to run away but i dont know what i will need where to go and i dont want to get caught. i dont know what to pack where to go but all i know is i never wanna be found i just want to go to an orphange and get adopted but i dont know where the closest one to me is please help me

[ccsmod15]

Hi! Thanks for writing to us at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). It sounds like you and your family are going through a challenging time, and we’re glad you found us as a resource. We know it can be difficult to reach out for support so it was brave of you to contact us.

If you are unsafe or experiencing abuse at home, you can call 911. You have the right to report abuse to a teacher or school personnel (they are mandated reporters) or to Child Protective Services (CPS). You also have the option to call Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org which is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to the situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report, you can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

We have a database of resources if you are interested in knowing what supports are in your area. If you would like to talk in more detail or explore options in real time, please call us at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the CHAT button). Much support, NRS