It’s no secret that for many, a person’s teenage years are one of the more emotional periods of a person’s life. Teenagers deal with a multitude of internal and external struggles as they navigate a time in their lives when significant amounts of change are happening.
Sometimes, unfortunately, a teen may get so stressed or frustrated that they think their only solution is to run away from home. They may feel this way because they think nobody is listening to them or cares about their problems.
Oftentimes, a child feeling the need to run away can be avoided if a parent or guardian knows the signs to look for before the child decides to run away.
So, in this blog, we are going to explore why teens feel the need to run away from home, what warning signs to look for, as well as how parents can respond to said warning signs in an attempt to prevent a runaway teen situation.
What Are Some Reasons Teens Run Away?
There are a number of reasons why a teenager may run away from home. While many of these reasons in the eye of an adult may seem juvenile or dramatic, the teenager, they are often deciding to run away from home because, in their mind, it’s the only solution to deal with their problem.
Some fairly common examples of why a teen would choose to run away from home include:
- Peer Pressure – The teen may be influenced or pressured to leave home by a friend, romantic partner, classmate, etc.
- Family Conflict – The teen may run away to get away from frequent arguments, unresolved tensions, strained relationships, or even domestic violence within the home.
- Abuse or Neglect – The teen may be the victim of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or neglect and run away to get away from it.
- Academic Pressure – Overwhelming stress from school or fear of failure may cause a teen to feel as if there are no other options than to run away to escape the pressures.
- Identity Struggles – Issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or self-acceptance can lead to feelings of alienation, ultimately resulting in a teen leaving home.
- Substance Abuse – Teens frequently using drugs and/or alcohol may run away from home to avoid punishment or because they are being pressured to do so by those they drink or do drugs with.
- Mental Health Struggles – Conditions like anxiety, depression, or teen trauma may lead teens to run away as a coping mechanism
- A Desire For Independence – A teenager may no longer want to follow the rules of their parent and choose to run away to seek independence.
What Are Warning Signs of a Teen That Might Run Away?
Now that we have gone over some of the reasons why a child may run away, it is important to take a look at some of the warning signs that may be present before the child ultimately makes said decision.
By looking out for these warning signs, you, as a parent, may be able to intervene before it is too late.
So, if you fear your child may run away from home, here are some of the more common warning signs to be on the lookout for:
- Sudden changes in behavior – A noticeable shift in mood, academic performance, or social interactions
- Accumulating money and/or valuables – Stashing money away or discretely packing items in their room
- Withdrawal – Starting to pull away or becoming more secretive about their actions
- Mentioning running away – Even if you think they are joking, any mention of running away should not be ignored
- A change in social groups – Spending more time with people who may be a bad influence can be a red flag
- Online activity – Increased secretive use of social media or communication with strangers online
If you feel as though your teen is displaying any of these warning signs, it may be best to approach them about it before it is too late.
What are the Consequences and Risks of a Teen Runaway?
Before we get into the different ways you can try and actively prevent your team from running away, it’s important to go over some of the potentially devastating consequences of a teen running away from home.
A teen running away from home can result in any of the following:
- Physical danger such as violence and exploitation
- Homelessness
- Substance abuse
- Legal trouble such as theft or trespassing
- Exploitation such as human trafficking
- Feelings of loneliness, fear, and despair
- A disruption in their education
How To Prevent Teens From Running Away?
As you can probably guess, the “easiest” thing you can do is simply talk to them and remind them that, no matter what they have going on in their lives, they can always come and talk to you without fear of judgment. However, if you do go that route, it is important that you hold up your end of the bargain and listen to them without judgment.
Beyond encouraging open and honest communication, here are some other things you can do to try and prevent your child from feeling the need to run away:
Address Any Underlying Issues
Offer and encourage your child to seek professional help by talking to a therapist or other treatment professional to properly address any mental health, substance abuse, or family issues.
Provide Coping Strategies
If your child is contemplating running away from home, it means they think there are no other options when it comes to dealing with whatever is ailing them. By offering them different coping strategies, you are showing them healthier ways that they can deal with their problems without going to the extreme of running away.
Monitor Their Social Circles
It’s important to note here that we are not telling you to spy on them in a way that may invade their personal space or privacy. After all, doing so may backfire and actually encourage them to run away. That being said, it’s always good to know the people that your child is associating themself with. If you feel that your child is interacting with people who may have a bad influence on them, either in person or virtually, it’s important to talk to them about it.
Encourage Positive Outlets
Another thing you can do to encourage them to handle their stress or other issues in a more positive and healthy manner is to encourage them to participate in activities they may enjoy such as sports, hobbies, or even creative outlets such as art or music.
Strengthen Relationships
Unfortunately, many children decide to run away because they simply feel ignored in their own house. Making a point to spend time with your child regularly, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day where you chat about the day itself, can go a long way in making your child feel seen and heard.
How To Find Your Teen Runaway?
In some cases, even despite your best efforts, your teen may still run away from home. If this happens, it’s important to do the following right away:
- Call the Police – Report your teen missing immediately as soon as you notice
- Search Local Areas – Go to any place that they may visit frequently such as friends’ houses, the mall, etc
- Use Social Media – Make posts on any social media platforms you may use about your child missing
- Contact Shelters – Reach out to local shelters or organizations that support runaway teens
- Engage Professionals – If you have the means, utilize the services of private investigators or other specialized services to help find your child
What To Do Once Your Teen Returns Home?
We can not stress this enough, but if and when your teen is located and returns home, do not, under any circumstances get violent, visibly angry, or go immediately to punishment. Doing so will be detrimental and may even lead the child to try and run away again.
Instead, consider doing the following:
- Show empathy
- Rebuild trust
- Seek professional support
- Address the reason or reasons why they left
FAQ's About Teens Who Runaway
What age group is most likely to run away from home?
Teens aged 14–17 are the most common age group to run away due to heightened emotional and developmental changes.
Can I legally force my teen to return home?
Yes, as a legal guardian, you have the right to bring your teen home unless there are allegations of abuse, in which case authorities may investigate.
What should I do if my teen refuses to return home?
Seek assistance from counselors, law enforcement, or child welfare agencies to mediate the situation.
Are runaway shelters safe?
Reputable shelters provide safe environments and resources for teens but ensure the shelter is accredited or recommended by authorities.
Blume Behavioral Health Offers Programs to Assist a Runaway Teen and Their Family
At Blume Behavioral Health, we understand the difficulties that families deal with daily. That’s why we specialize in supporting teens and their families through difficult times to strengthen the family bond at home.
We offer valuable services including individual and family therapy, crisis intervention, and educational support designed to address underlying causes, improve communication, and foster resilience.
If you or your child are struggling and could benefit from any of our treatment services, contact us today.
Daniel Duel MD is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in General Adult Psychiatry with a focus on Addiction/Substance Use Disorders. As the Medical Director of an outpatient addiction clinic, he oversees a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive care. He has extensive experience treating complex mood, psychosis, OCD, anxiety, and geriatric disorders. Dr. Duel is a UCLA graduate, trained in TMS and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
