I'm 14 and I need to get out of my house.

[Guest]

I need to leave but in 14 , I used to self harm and I get depressed alot and I don't like being at home, I just want to leave , can u guys take me ? if u can't I'm just going to run away

[ccsmod5]

Thanks so much for reaching out. Being depressed is super hard, especially when you don’t like being at home. We’re sorry to hear that you used to self-harm, and it’s good that you’re trying to figure out other ways of dealing with your depression. If you want to talk to someone about your depression and self-harm, you can contact the organization “To Write Love on Her Arms.” They have a crisis text line. You can contact them by texting TWLOHA to 741741. You can also contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 1-800-950-6264.
Unfortunately, our organization is not a shelter; it is only a Safeline, a place that youth can contact when they’re thinking of running away or have runaway and want to talk to someone. We do not have the ability to house anyone, but we can offer shelter resources if you call us at 1-800-786-2929. We’re also here to talk and listen if you want to discuss your options and reasons for wanting to leave with someone.

Thanks again for reaching out, and don’t hesitate to give us a call.

[Guest]

you dont have tio argue if you are feelinhg bad or abused tell someone you can trust or try to talk to the person

[Guest]

Staying with my family makes me think suicide

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,

Thanks for reaching out to NRS!

We are always here to listen and here to help in any way that we can. It can be very frustrating not knowing what to do or what your next step might be from this point on. It’s brave of you to reach out during your time of need.

You mentioned that you’re feeling suicidal, your safety and life is extremely important to us. It’s understandable that you’re feeling hopeless when home is not a place you’re comfortable being. That being said, if you ever feel unsafe or feel like you may hurt yourself please don’t hesitate to call 911, NRS, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255. We are always open and here for you.

We have a database of resources and if you’re able to call in, we can try to brainstorm with you and get a better idea of your situation. If you are thinking about running away and somewhere to stay, we can try to find a runaway shelter for you. Unfortunately, we are non-directive at NRS, and can't give out advice, but we're always here to talk and listen.

Our safeline is open 24/7. We also have a chatting service via our website, unfortunately, it is not always open. The best way to contact us would be to call in and talk with our trained liners.

Be well, NRS

[Guest]

Hi I am 14 and have been living with my mom and step father since I was 11 up until I was 11 I lived with my grandparents and my mother who was not married at the time. My mom then got married and my step father had made my life miserable for the next three years I was living with him. It finally died down and now I have began arguing with my mom and not getting along with her at all. My mom has 3 kids me and then my twin brothers. She is always a nervous wreck and always is stressed out. I feel she takes everything out on me. And I feel that I get verbally abused and am yelled at for unreasonable reasons. I don’t appreciate how my mother talks to me and I have taken disrespect out on her and have had a bad attitude towards her because of how I get treated. I’m tired of living with her and my step father. I don’t feel welcomed here and I don’t feel apart of the family I want to move back with my grandparents but I don’t know how I can do that without getting court involved. I have had the cops involved once before and I have ran away multiple times. I don’t want to live here and I feel that if I don’t like where I am living or feel comfortable I shouldn’t have to live here. I am constantly crying and screaming at the top of my lungs and I’m just tired of it. My grandparents try to help me out as much as possible but once I have to go back home I get very depressed. There are many times suicidal thoughts go through my head because I am so fed up. Please help and give any advice you can to help me get out of this situation and possibly be able to move in with my grandparents.

[ccsmod3]

Hello there,
Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline and being open about what’s going on. It sounds like you are in a lot of pain and would like to move to a safe, peaceful environment. It’s understandable you would want to avoid arguing and yelling with family. You’ve clearly tried many things to ease the pain of your situation.
As you are a minor, if you are considering leaving home, you could be required to return if your mother files a runaway report. We don’t give specific legal advice, so we can’t say specifically what would happen if you were to leave home and live with your grandparents. However, to discuss this in more detail, you can call us at 1-800-786-2929.
If it’s possible for your mother and step-father to agree to allow your grandparents to take custody, that would ease the situation. If you feel unsafe, you also have the option of filing an abuse report. You could possibly be moved to your grandparents’ custody, however this would probably require court involvement, and again we can’t say for sure. You mentioned you feel depressed and are having suicidal thoughts. A possible resource that could be helpful is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 1-800-273-8255.
We can discuss your situation in greater detail if you call us at 1-800-786-2929. Feel free to call or chat with us. We are available 24/7. We can get a better understanding of your situation and discuss some other possible options. Again thanks for reaching out to us.
Best,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 14, and I made a huge mistake that ruined the relationship i have with my parents. I want to prove to them that I'm not such a terrible person, but they're acting like I'll never be the person they thought I was, and they're disappointed beyond words. On top of that, my depression has gotten worse lately, and I've lost interest in nearly everything. I don't think I can take it all anymore. My friends can't be there for me, because my parents took away my phone permanently. I can't go to any social activities, or interact with anyone. Everyone is happy, and I'm living with this terrible mistake that keeps digging me into a deeper hole. I need to get away from everyone here and my life here.

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for sharing some of your story. It can be really painful when your parents make you feel like you’re a terrible person for making a mistake. You’re young and you will make plenty of mistakes; you deserve to have your parents support you as you learn, not tear you down. You mention that your depression has gotten worse lately, which is understandable given the situation. You also write that, “I need to get away from everyone here and my life here.” We’re uncertain what this means, but please know that your well-being is so important. If you think you might be in danger of hurting yourself, we encourage you to reach out to 9-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-786-2929. You are not alone and while things may feel overwhelming right now, we promise it will not always feel this way.
You mention that you want to prove to your parents that you’re “not such a terrible person.” We want you to know that, whatever it is you did, you are not a terrible person. You clearly care very much about how others feel and you sound like a very kind young person. We encourage you to talk with your parents about how you’ve been feeling depressed. If they aren’t open to hearing it, you can always talk to another adult you trust, like a teacher or a guidance counselor. And of course, you’re always welcome to call us at 1-800-786-2929. We’re here to listen and help any way we can.
Finally, it sounds like you haven’t been able to interact with your friends lately. That can definitely make it difficult to cope with stress, but we encourage you to look for other ways to keep yourself in a good place. That could be reading, writing, drawing, meditating…anything that you like to do (or that you usually like to do when you’re feeling more like yourself).
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone if you ever need someone to listen or connect you with resources. In addition, we can also help you talk to one of your parents on conference call if you need extra support. Stay strong!
NRS

[Guest]

My family and I never get along I never feel welcome in my own home and me and my family fight a lot and I just want to leave

[ccsmod9]

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 we feel it might help us to gather some more information to help out. 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 fourteen and I like other girls . My parents are really strict christians and if my mom finds out she'll kick me out . My dad might stand up for me , but I doubt it . I have a girlfriend and until I met her liking girls didn't feel real . But a boy who knows my parents saw us holding hands in class today and i'm scared he might tell my mom and dad . I'm just scared and I don't know what to do .

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out. It can be really difficult when your parents are not supportive of your identity. You deserve to be loved and supported because you’re perfect just the way you are. You mention you’re concerned about a boy telling your mom and dad about holding your girlfriend’s hand in class. One option is to talk to your classmate about the situation at home (namely, that you believe you’ll be kicked out if they found out). Hopefully he will understand and want to help you out. It’s not okay for him to “out” you in any case; that is a decision that should be yours and yours alone. Another option is to talk to your dad about how you’ve been feeling away from your mom. It could be great to have someone in your corner to stand up for you. If you need help talking to your dad about the situation, you might consider asking your school guidance counselor, a therapist, or even another family member. Here at NRS, we do offer conflict mediation by phone and we would be happy to help you broach that conversation. We understand if that doesn’t feel like an option.
We hope that your parents do not kick you out, but if that becomes a reality there are options. The first is calling your local police or child protective services. Since you are a minor, your parents cannot simply kick you out. They are obligated to care for you until you are a legal adult. Another option might be to stay with a friend or another family member. If you give us a call, we may be able to locate runaway/youth shelters nearby. Our number 1-800-786-2929.
Finally, we want to remind you that you are not alone. There are so many people out there who will love and support you like you deserve, even if those people are not your parents. You can also always call the wonderful LGBTQ resources available to you:

LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564

LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

And of course we are here 24/7 to listen and support you in whatever way we can. Take care of yourself and stay strong!

[Guest]

im 14 and need to get out of ky house. Ive been locked up and javent been able to do anything. Can i still leave whether my parents said no?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It seems like you are going through a frustrating time right now. We are not legal experts, but in most states the legal age to leave home is 18 years old. Because you are 14 you could be considered as a runaway youth. If the police were to find you they would most likely bring you back home. You could consider asking your parents for permission to go to a friend’s house. We hope this information was helpful in your situation. If you have any other questions please feel free to give us a call we are available 24/7. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 14, I don’t want to live with my parents anymore, my dad has gripped me by the throut before up against the wall, he smokes weed all the time and is way to strict, they call me names and I don’t think I can live in this house anymore I have thought about it all last night but I would rather live in care, I would miss my mam but right now I really don’t want to live in this house

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I’m 14, I don’t want to live with my parents anymore


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.
You don’t deserve to be abused by your father. It must be a terrible feeling not knowing if you are safe.
It is not your fault that he does this. Sometimes it helps to have the support of someone. Perhaps talking this over with your mom might be an option in coming up with a plan to change things.
There are laws to protect you from child abuse. It may take a lot of courage to do so but you have the option of filing an abuse report with child protective services in your state.
To do so contact Child Help USA at 1-800-422-4453
www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.

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 are limited as to how we can help in this type of forum.

If you would like to talk more in detail please call 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in.

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to contact 9-1-1 or seek emergency assistance immediately.


Be safe,
NRS

We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

Hi I'm 15 and recently I got in trouble for smoking and I got in big trouble for it and I've been grounded for 2 almost 3 months and my dad was obviously mad but he was so mean about it hit me three times , and told me that I ruined everything and I ruined the house and that I'm a peice of crap and now I can't see my mom anymore and I miss her so much and I want to live with my mom but she's gotten in trouble with law and my dad would use that against her in court . I don't know what to do I just want to leave this house , I have money and people I can stay with . And he isn't my real dad he's my step dad but I want to leave so bad .

[ccsmod9]

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. 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 feels they would be able to best help through those means. 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

[Guest]

I’m 14 and I want to leave home. My mother recently found out i’m gay and have a girlfriend and my dad won’t even speak of it to me. she won’t let me hang out with my girlfriend and has threatened to move so I won’t see her. She acts like she loves me in front of my friends and their parents but once we get home, she acts like she hates my girlfriend and makes me feel bad about it. I know my girlfriends family would take me in but I just want a way for my mom to kick me out because she won’t let me leave. help

[ccsmod9]

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. 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.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

sorry if it doesn't make sense all the way is 3:13 in the morning

Hi I'm 14, the last few month have been difficult, I feel like my life is going down hill. I live at home with my mom, ex step dad and 4 brothers, I "runaway " 3 times over the last few months. My life didn't start getting hard till September, we had started at a new school and this is the year my little brother would start preschool. My step dad would buy my youngest brother candy so he could eat it with his lunch, any ways after a while my mom asked who was eating them and I told her that I had packed them in my little brothers lunch, then she stared yelling and screaming and throwing stuff at me saying that I'm feeding her child bad food. Usually I'm would be calm and apologize but I felt like I was done just taking all the ******** she throws at me, because ever sense my mom and dad got divorced its be her and my all the way through so I hear some bad ******** about my dad and decided to stop visiting him when I was 8. After she saw that I was vary angry she told me to go take a walk out side, so I did but I didn't just go to the park across my apartment I went about 7 blocks away I didn't have a watch or phone on me, but I know it was getting late but I didn't know that my mom had called the police, printed my picture up, told everyone in our apartments that I was missing, and post it all over social media. The second time I was at school, its not actually a school just a group of parent coming together and placing there children in daycare with computers, it was after school and my twin went up to me and yelled in my ear to take tome one to the office. I got upset so I playfully taped my brother on the side of the face. while I was gone, the high school teacher, which wants to be friend with my mom called her telling her the story, when I came back she wanted to talk to me on the phone. I walked down the hall to talk with her and she said that I was assaulting her child and a student and told my to go to the office I got made and left campus and went to the park. while I was there she had my step dad come and try to get my I said no she had to deal with a her own ******** then, she had the principle and I left the park and hid. The last time I left was because she kept not fixing the problems I have with her and just bring in other people. That evening and may time before she threaded to send me to a children's home but now she said that she sending me to live in Mexico so everyone will be ashamed of me and ill be poor and have to work and travel through towns to go to work and school.

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. Sounds like you and your mom are having some issues communicating and haven’t been able to see eye-to-eye recently. It must be really hard to live into a home with so much tension. You’ve mentioned that sometimes you take walks to cool down after you have an argument with your mom, it’s great that you figured out a way to help calm down. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 14 I need out of my house my dad is about to kick me out.

[ccsmod9]

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. Because you are being kicked out please know that you can call the cops and they would also be able to help. If not you can give us a call in order to get some shelter information.
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]

Iḿ 14 and I have been living with guardians my whole life and throughout these years they have come to start treating me and my sister differently. I live in a house with 12 other people and they chose to pick on other kids and while they treat some like angles and they don't reprimand them for hitting, breaking things, verbally abusing us and multiple other things. My parents will not adopt me and my sister because if they did they would not get a check for us and then to them would just be dead weight. My sister and I have had to buy our own food, our toothpaste, deodorant, body wash etc and when we don't have the money to do buy it and we got to them they tell us that it is not our problem, they yell, abuse, and threaten us when we have our own opinions. I and my sister's parents have died and we get benefits from the government for our needs and all they use it on is themselves and their wants. If we ever have a different opinion or anything like that they threaten us, punish us and hit us so we try to keep quiet. Just recently there was no laundry detergent or anything like that to wash clothes and I asked my mom if she could get some and she told me it was not her problem, I kept trying to tell her that I had nothing to wear to school tomorrow and all she said was you had better find something. The next morning I could not go to school because I had nothing to wear and then she started screaming at me and belittling me all because she didn't do her job of taking care of me. She took my phone which I bought and pay the bill and she also took the tv I bought and so I'm not allowed to leave the house for a month, not to go to a birthday party, not to help my elderly aunt move heavy things to her new house or anything like that. I rarely eat at my house and the only time I eat is when I can't afford my own food and the same goes for my sister. I am gay and I haven't come out to my parents and my family because the mistreatment would only get worse from there, I have other gay family members and they go on and one about how they are going to burn in hell and they are embarrassments to the family and etc. The only person who understands me is my sister and is the only person in the house who I can talk and relate to. I want to go to the counselor but if they see my parents unfit to have kids then all my other sibling would either go to into the system or to their family members but I don't want them to have to go through that. I love my parents but I don't know how much longer I can live in constant fear of them can somebody help, please.

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It must be really hard to live into a home with so much tension. You deserve to be respected and live in a home where your needs are being met.

It sounds like some of want is going on is neglect (not providing you with necessities like hygiene products, etc.) You also mentioned some things that raise concern for your safety and well-being. Absolutely no one deserves to be abused. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it. 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. It may also be a good idea to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.

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”. Your 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. The LGBT National Hotline could be a resource that can be a source of great support. The hotline is run by those that are familiar with the issues and experiences of those that are also a part of the LGBTQ community. You can reach them by calling 1-8888-843-4564 or you can check out their website at gltbhotline.org.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

All the best,
NRS