How can wehelp to stop it happening

Do keep 'ALERT'...

• Look at the situation or circumstances objectively
• Identify the problem if possible and address it
• Try to understand any issues from your child's point of view
• Often small things get blown out of proportion and sometimes it feels like the only option is to run away
• The circumstances leading up to running away are different for everybody, and the reasons for it may never be fully explained or understood

and DON'T...

• Put them down or do things that might make them feel worse. Running away suggests that self-esteem is already very low
• Abandon or reject them. Your help, support and attention are vital if they are to begin to feel that home or the place where they live is the right place for them to be. Don't relax your attentions just because they seem to be better. It doesn't mean that life is back to normal for them yet. They may be at risk of running away for quite a while
• Ignore what has happened
• Criticise their actions - however you may be feeling about their running away, try to remember the pain and turmoil that they were, and may still be, going through. Don't take their behaviour personally - it was not necessarily directed at you

Extra help in a crisis

If you feel that the situation is getting worse rather than better, and you are worried about your child or teenager running away, trust your instinct and share your concerns straight away.

You can contact any professional that you already have involvement with, or, you can call the Talk Don't Walk helpline on 0800 085 2136.