How to Help a Friend Who Wants to Run Away From Home

Your best friend has been feeling down lately and has been spending more time at your house than at his own. You've tried getting him to open up to you about what's wrong, but he insists that everything's fine. Then one day, he tells you he's planning to run away from home. You probably have no idea what to do, but you really can help your friend.

Instructions

1. Reassure your friend that she's not alone. She may feel like things are horrible at home and that no one can possibly understand her, but let her know that you're there to listen to her and to help any way you can. She'll be less likely to leave if she feels some connections.

2. Present the tough questions. Before your friend runs away, ask him if he's really thought this out. Get him to tell you how he plans on supporting himself and ensuring his safety, how he'll get the help he needs and where he'll live.

3. Explain how running away will make things worse. Tell your friend how running away won't improve her situation and is sure to make her life much more difficult. Also talk about how hard life away from home and on the streets will be with no money, no comforts and real dangers.

4. Insist that there are alternatives. You may not be an expert, but tell your friend that there's got to be another way to solve the problem. Even if neither of you knows of a better plan at the moment, ask your friend to hold off on any decision to leave.

5. Suggest talking to an adult. First, ask your friend to try again to sit down with his parents to work things out, but if he refuses, encourage him to go to a trusted teacher, guidance counselor or faith leader. Talking to a more-experienced, neutral third party can sometimes put things into perspective.

6. Ask your parents to let her stay with you. Sometimes situations can get so confused between parents and their kids that all it takes to work things out is a bit of space. Approach your parents about taking your friend in temporarily, provided her parents also agree.

7. Recognize when the problem is just too big for you. You're not equipped to handle physical, sexual, drug or alcohol abuse. Even if your friend tells you not to say anything to anyone, being a good friend means going to an adult before further injury or abuse occurs.

Tips & Warnings

• When your friend says he wants to run away from home, take the time to do a little bit of research and give him some hard facts about survival rates and drug abuse.