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For young people

Thinking of running away...get informed!

You may think: I’ll get my own place and stay out all night, pick my friends and wear what I want. But in reality that's not how it works. Until you finish school, it will be hard to get a job that will pay for a flat, food, clothes and partying. Your 'own place' may be a park bench, and dinner may be scraps out of other people’s rubbish. If you’re staying on a mate’s sofa, remember it gets crowded, people usually ask you to leave after a while. Stealing - a big temptation when you’re hungry - could land you in trouble with the police - maybe even in prison. Many young people are forced to sell their bodies just to get money for food, and prostitution can leave a person sick, pregnant or DEAD.

So before you leave home, try to solve your problems another way. Get help. If, after speaking with someone, you decide you cannot stay at home, make sure you have a SAFE place to go before you leave.

By SAFE, we mean somewhere where there are people you know you can trust. Strangers or people you know a bit might offer you somewhere, but you don’t really know what they’re after.

Call your parents to let them know you’re ok. Hopefully after a while you’ll feel like going home and talking it through. They’ll be less angry if you’ve shown you’ve thought about THEIR feelings while you’ve been away.

If you don’t want to phone in case they start an argument, phone the Message Home Helpline on 0800 700 740 and ask them to let your family know you’re OK.

You could do with someone impartial for a bit of advice and support. ASTRA can help - we’ll let you know what your options are and we won't force you to go home if you’re not ready. Call us for free on 0800 3894992.

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