Supporting a Friend Who Wants to Run Away: Advice and Considerations

It's not uncommon for friends to grapple with feelings of escape from home. However, before a friend decides to run away, it's crucial to have a guided discussion on the potential outcomes and support them through the situation. Whether it's due to dissatisfaction, family issues, or personal challenges, these factors can drive emotional turmoil. Below, we explore some essential steps and considerations for guiding a friend through such a difficult decision.

Understanding the Reasons

The first step in helping your friend is to understand the reasons behind their desires to run away. There could be a variety of underlying issues such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, bullying, or even academic and social challenges. Discuss with your friend to identify the root cause. Here are some questions to consider:

Is it due to family issues? Are their parents abusive, either emotionally, physically, or sexually? Is there something more serious happening? Do they have school problems or are they being bullied? Are they dealing with drug or alcohol problems?

Developing a Plan

Once you have an understanding of the reasons, it's important to help your friend develop a plan. This plan should be a feasible and practical approach to addressing their concerns. Consider the following steps:

Ask them what their plan is and discuss the pros and cons with them. Ensure the plan results in a better situation than they currently have at home. Explore alternative solutions. Sometimes running away is not the most effective solution to a problem.

Gathering Support and Resources

Sometimes, the best guidance comes from outside perspectives. Encourage your friend to talk to an adult who can help provide further support and advice. This could be a relative, a teacher, counselor, or an older sibling. Here are some additional steps to take:

Work together with your friend to find a solution. Encourage them to reach out to a trusted adult for support. Consider the National Runaway Safeline in the US or search for similar resources if you are not in the US.

Discussing the Negative Outcomes

It's crucial to discuss the potential negative outcomes of running away. Even if the desire to escape feels urgent, the risks can be severe. Runaway teens often end up in dangerous situations, including:

Homelessness Exposure to trafficking or exploitation Drug abuse and criminal activity Physical and mental health risks

Inform your friend about the dangers and the support resources available, such as the National Runaway Safeline at (800) 786-2929. If your friend still decides to run away, continue to check in with them and seek advice. In the event that you haven't heard from them for a prolonged period, take immediate action to inform a trusted adult or local authorities.

Conclusion

Supporting a friend who wants to run away is a complex and challenging situation. By understanding the reasons, developing a plan, and providing necessary support, you can guide your friend towards a safer and more constructive outcome. Remember, it's essential to prioritize their safety and well-being in any decision they make.