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According to the National Runaway Safeline, an estimated 1.6 million to 2.8 million youth run away from home each year in the US. Teens run away from home for a number of reasons, such as abuse, mental health problems, drug and alcohol use, not feeling accepted by their families, or being put in foster placements [1].
Most teens who run away from home are often gone for only a couple of days. However, a smaller number of youth may stay in shelters, with friends, or in risky, unfamiliar environments. Runaway teens are at an increased risk of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, homelessness, substance abuse, and criminal activities.
It’s helpful for parents to understand why teens run away from home and how professional intervention can ensure their safety.
Why Do Teens Runaway? Understanding The Root Causes
“I’ve dealt with a lot of runaways. As a former police officer, I saw cases of runaway children all the time. Each one of these kids were either running to something, or from something. I saw a lot of them running from abusive home environments and feelings of anger or failure, and from restrictive foster care placements. I saw them run to gangs, abusive relationships, and to people who could support a drug or alcohol addiction.” — Bobby Ladson, NCMEC Missing Child Case Manager [2]
Family and Home Environment
One of the most significant triggers that causes teens to run away from home are distressing, dangerous, or violent situations in the home environment. Teens might run away to escape this and seek out better opportunities for themselves (although this can lead to them being easily exploited).
Some triggers in the home that can make a teen run away include:
- Physical abuse: Any sort of physical harm, such as hitting, cutting, burning, or excessive physical punishment.
- Emotional Abuse: Constant criticism, humiliation, rejection, manipulation.
- Sexual Abuse: Any sort of sexual exploitation or inappropriate exposure.
- Neglect: Basic and psychological needs such as food, shelter, emotional warmth, sense of trust and safety, medical care, etc. are not met.
- Exposure to Domestic Violence: Experiencing or witnessing violence from or between parents or caregivers.
Mental Health Issues
Unresolved mental health problems are a driving factor behind teens who run away from home.
Mental health challenges like depression and anxiety can make a teen feel desperate or hopeless. They may choose to run away from home rather than tell their parents for fear of feeling like a burden, or as a cry for help.
Teens who are bipolar and prone to manic episodes, or who struggle with impulse control problems, might run away and put themselves into risky or unsafe situations as a form of self-harm.
Substance Abuse
Teens who are addicted to drugs or alcohol have a greater risk of running away than teens who don’t struggle with substance abuse problems. The decision to run away could be impulsive, out of fear that one’s parents or caregivers will discover their addiction.
Youth also may run away to access or abuse drugs, and numb emotional pain or trauma. Teens who come from communities where drug use, gang violence, and sex work are high are at an increased risk of running away and getting involved in substance abuse [3].
Teens who run away from home and struggle with addiction are more likely to engage in harmful or dangerous activities such as underage prostitution, illegal employment, exploitation, and crime.
High Risk Demographics
Some teens come from high-risk demographics that naturally increase the risk of them running away from home compared to their peers. These include teens in foster care, or who come from marginalized backgrounds, such as the LGBTQ+ community.
- Foster Care: Teens in foster care have often experienced severe trauma or challenges early in life that can make them less likely to trust or build attachments to their foster caregivers. They may run away for autonomy, independence, or to reconnect with their family. Or they may have a lack of supervision, conflict with foster parents, abuse, or neglect.
- LGBTQ+ Community: Teens who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a 120% higher risk of experiencing homelessness than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Teens who come from strict religious or conservative backgrounds that do not tolerate different forms of sexuality are more likely to have strained relationships with their parents, family, community, and run away or be kicked out of their home [4].
Online Relationships
There is a growing phenomenon, as referenced by Bobby Ladson, Child Case Manager, that over the recent decade, he has seen a rise in teenagers who run away from home to meet a person they developed an online relationship with. This can be particularly dangerous, increasing the risk of sexual assault or kidnapping.
Ladson uses the term “online enticement” to describe these virtual relationships that involve children and teens. It is defined as online activity that usually involves an adult communicating with someone believed to be a minor with the intent to commit an abduction or sexual offense [2].
These adults may convince teens to run away from home because their parents don’t understand their situation or challenges, or that they can offer them a life with more opportunities such as finances, travel, or long-term commitment and emotional safety.
The Risks of Runaway Behavior and Why Early Intervention Matters
Running away increases significant risks to the health, safety, and future success of teens. They face increased dangers of domestic violence, gang involvement, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, substance abuse, and criminal activities. Understanding why a teen is running away from home, early intervention, and getting them into treatment can be life-saving [3].
Recognizing Warning Signs A Teen Might Runaway
It’s not always easy to spot if your teen is going to run away. Sometimes this can be an impulsive decision, although in most cases, they may show signs of other behaviors that indicate a substance abuse problem, mental health challenge, or other major stressor in their life.
Some common red flags that a teen is thinking about running away include:
- Sudden drastic changes in behavior or mood
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Increased secrecy
- Defying rules
- Sudden decline in school (slipping grades, missing class, fighting with peers or teachers)
- Unexplained physical injuries
- Finding large amounts of cash, or new belongings on them, or in their room without an explanation
Why Early Intervention Matters
The earlier parents recognize warning signs and reach out for help, the more positive the outcomes are. Early intervention:
- Prevents immediate dangers faced on the streets, such as theft, assault, and violent crime
- Addresses underlying issues that cause runaway behavior, such as family conflict, abuse, or mental health problems
- Reduces the risk of repeated runaway incidents
- Mitigates the risk of developing a substance abuse disorder or criminal behaviors
How To Prevent Teens From Running Away
Teens who have safe, solid, open relationships with their parents are less likely to run away, and more likely to turn to their parents or caregivers for support. Parents should encourage open communication with their teens, and listen to their teens’ thoughts if they talk about running away. Set boundaries as needed and explore the reasons behind what makes them want to leave home.
If you notice warning signs or feel overwhelmed with how to manage the situation, it’s important to reach out for professional help from a therapist, counselor, or doctor specializing in teen mental health.
Professional support such as mental health counseling, home-based therapies, peer support programs, or in serious cases, residential treatment, can help teens feel safe in their homes and reduce the risk of runaway behavior.
Helping Runaway Teens in Texas
Clearfork Academy residential facility is a licensed treatment program with 24/7 supervision, helping teens recover from substance abuse disorders, mental health disorders, and other life challenges.
We provide around-the-clock care and support to help stabilize teens on their journey toward safety, health, and success. We offer evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR and strive to educate parents about youth mental health.
Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your family.
Sources
[1] National Runaway Safeline. Org
[2] Online Romance and Runaway Teens. Bobby Ladson, 2020
[3] Running Away From Home: A Longitudinal Study. 2011. National Library of Medicine
[4] LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness. National Network for Youth. 2020
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
