Taking Action: Get Educated Scary Statistics
21% of runaways are victims of domestic physical or sexual abuse at home prior to running away, or are afraid a return home would result in abuse.
19% of runaways are/were dependant on at least one substance.
18% of runaways are 13 years or older.
18% of runaways end up in the company of someone known to be abusing drugs.
17% of runaways end up using hard drugs.
12% of runaways spend time in a place where criminal activity is known to occur.
11% of teens participate in criminal activity while on the run.
4% of runaway teens have attempted suicide previous to running away.
4% of runaways are physically assaulted or the subject of an attempted assault while on the run.
The Power of Knowledge: Work to Be a Better Parent
Even the best parents can use skill training. Continue to improve your skills both as a communicator and a parent, as well as the problems facing teenagers today. Join your family through problem-solving skills to avoid conflict.
Evaluate yourself. Do your bad habits seem to rub off on your teen? Get healthy!
Develop a crisis intervention plan for your teen if the situation causing thoughts of running away involves a crisis or recurrent crisis.
Consider seeking professional help for your teen if he/she seems out of control, including self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or violent behavior. Emotional problems associated with anger, sadness or despair are very serious and should be dealt with accordingly.
Evaluate any use of alcohol or drugs by your teen immediately. Seek professional help if you think he/she may have an addiction problem.
Consider attending classes or educational workshops yourself to improve on your parenting skills. Even the very best parents can use support! Your city may offer training in communication and interpersonal skills that can offer help for dealing with divorce, anger, violent behavior, and conflict resolution.
Develop a plan throughout the family for conducting argumentative communication calmly and respectfully. Doing so will promote communication rather than argument.
For more information on Teen Runaways.
By Sue Scheff, Parents Universal Resource Experts
Do you have a struggling teen? At risk teens? Defiant Teen? Teen Depression? Problem Teen? Difficult Teen? Teen Rage? Teen Anger? Teen Drug Use? Teen Gangs? Teen Runaways? Bipolar? ADD/ADHD? Disrespectful Teen? Out of Control Teen? Peer Pressure?
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