Word to the wise, don't mistake emotional health for survival. Often it's hard to tell the two apart, but if you're not being fed, housed, clothed, or washed on a regular basis then you are in a bad place. And sadly, that is where most runaways end up. Most find themselves on the streets with no one to take them in, are unable to find steady (and decent-paying) work, and those who are homeless without any recourse are vulnerable to other human predators.I've decided that if things don't get better soon, I'm running away in the summer. She won't be able to take legal action against me because I'm sure I can put up a good fight. I'll need a safe place to go.
Many of those who are homeless that are often considered to be mentally unstable were not mentally unstable when they first found themselves on the street. They developed that due to chronic theft, abuse, negligence, assault, rape, and prejudice. Not all of them were runaways, but it does happen more often than those who are lucky enough to find someone to take them in and get them a job and a good start up to life.
Take stock of your real options. Know who you can and can't go to before you take that leap. Be aware of the reality of the world. In this economy, there aren't many who are looking to take in a strange mouth to feed and nurture, nor to deal with whatever legal uprisings may come with it. Do your research.
There are some organizations who take in homeless teens, temporarily. As in... maybe for a week or three. I've never heard of any taking anyone in long-term (although they may exist and I just haven't heard of them). Make some inquiries, get some phone numbers before you do anything. I also have never heard of them taking in straight runaways before, usually they're teens who have been forcefully kicked out of their homes. But again, just because I haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen-- you'll have to do the legwork there.
I'm not sure how old you are, but since you're discussing legal issues regarding running away I'm going to assume you're not yet 18. Unless you find yourself a soft landing, you can virtually kiss higher education away. At least for awhile.
I'm not going to sugar-coat this for you. I've been in that boat, I know what it is and what it is not. I also know the circumstances that often drive teens to run, and I know it's not a walk in the park. But remember, you'll be stronger for having lived through hardships and found your own coping mechanisms. And one day you'll be out on your own and you'll have a stronger foundation to build from because of it.
