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We Can Help
Are you thinking about running away?
Do you sometimes have problems talking with your parents?
Have you ever been so angry that you thought about leaving home?
Are you having problems at home?
Do you have a friend who wants to run away?
Are you under pressure with your friends or at school?
How can the National Runaway Switchboard
help you?
Getting in Touch
While On the Run
The National Runaway Switchboard can help you get
a message to your parents even while you're on the run. Our services
are confidential so we won't tell your parents any more than you want
us to tell them. There are two ways for you to contact your parents:
Message Relay and Conference Calls.
If you are away from home, we can deliver a message to your parents
for you. You give us the message and we'll call to deliver it. You
can even ask them to leave a message for you in return. The rule is
that the messages must be constructive. We won't help you tell your
parents that you hate them or that you never plan on coming home.
We will help you say how you're feeling and what you want to see happen.
Runaways have left messages like, "I just want you to know that I'm
okay. I hope we can work things out." and "I know this doesn't really
help but I was really angry at you. I want to come home. Is that okay?"
A Message Relay is sometimes a good way to start communicating with
your parents. It's safe and it's simple. You can call 1-800-621-4000
to get a message delivered to your parents.
Conference calls only happen if you want them to. If you are on the
run and feel ready to talk with your parents, the National Runaway
Switchboard will help you call them. We will stay on the line with
you and your parents and help you talk things out. Talking with your
parents while you're away can be a hard thing to do and we're there
to provide support. We try to help both you and your parents really
talk about how you feel and what's happening at home. Conference calls
should be productive on both a long and short-term basis. If you're
ready to talk and would like some help, you can call us at 1-800-621-4000
and we'll help you make the call home.
Information
& Referrals
Do you know where to go to find the help you
need? Do you have more questions than answers? Where do you find
information that you can use?
The National Runaway Switchboard has over 200,000 resources that
you can use. Our resource library includes thousands of different
support groups, hotlines, and counseling centers, information about
pursuing legal issues, medical questions, and drug treatment centers.
We can help you find a shelter and we’ll even call them with
you to make the necessary arrangements.
Going
Home
The National Runaway Switchboard administers a program for Greyhound
Lines, Inc. that helps some runaways get home for free. To qualify:
you must be a runaway from age 12 through age 21. Youth through
18 must be returning to a parent or legal guardian, and there has
to be a verifiable runaway report filed with your hometown police
department. For youth through age 21, going to an independent living
facility in the vicinity of your hometown is also an option.
Questions
to Ask Yourself Before You Run Away
- What else can I do to improve my home situation before I leave?
- What would make me stay at home?
- How will I survive?
- Is running away safe?
- Who can I count on to help me?
- Am I being realistic?
- Have I given this enough thought?
- What are my other options?
- If I end up in trouble, who will I call?
- When I return home, what will happen?
Family Communication
Tips
- Set aside time to talk every day.
- Don't expect your family to read your mind.
- Be specific about your expectations and requests.
- Have patience, good communication takes time and effort.
- Brainstorm ideas before making a final decision.
- Ask for input from all family members.
- Write things down; make a list of changes you want to see.
- Be willing to compromise.
- Do fun things together.
- Use community resources when you need help.
There are people and places in your
community that can help your family communicate better. For ideas
and referrals, call the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-621-4000.
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