Family Abuse And Violence / Question
Published: March 29, 2007
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My mom and step dad treat me like a prisoner. Every time I tell my friends about the situations; they give me advice and tell me it will get better. But it doesn't it only get worse everyday. My stepfather tries to keep me from going places. One day my mom said I could go to the movies with my friend and she told me to ask him to bring me because she was at work. And he said I had to pay him to watch my little brother (HIS SON) because he has plans and I'm messing them up. Then I went into my room and a few hours passed and he didn't go anywhere. And he asked me why I'm not at the movies. We go into a physical fight one day and he called my mom and told her I started the fight. When all I was doing was trying to stick up for myself since recently he had been yelling at me blaming me for everything and making me feel bad about myself. She believed him and took up for him and yelled and cursed at me. And when I tried to explain to my mom he was on the other end saying I was lying. So since I was upset I ran away instead of trying to commit suicide like I did before. What should I do? Everyday I want to die but I made a promise to my 3 best friends I wouldn't. I've been holding up for a while but I can't take it anymore.
Signed: Mom And Step-Dad Treat Me Like A Prisoner
Dear Mom And Step-Dad Treat Me Like A Prisoner,
TeenHealthFX can hear how terrible this situation is feeling for you. We are worried about what you have been experiencing at home with your mother and step-father, as well as your statement that you have tried to run away and to commit suicide in the past. It is wonderful that you have three best friends who obviously care about you and are trying to give advice in order to be there for you as best they can. However, because things have escalated to the point of physical fights at home, and because you have had such strong impulses to run away or be hurtful to yourself, FX feels strongly that you need to notify someone about what is going on – either a teacher, school nurse, school counselor, or any other trusted adult. The types of emotional issues you are dealing with, and the extent to which family conflicts are occurring in the home, requires intervention from mental health professionals.
FX recommends that either you, or an adult whom you choose to speak to, contact child protective services to report the physical fight that occurred between you and your step-father. Someone from child protective services will come to your home to assess whether or not it is safe for you to remain there. If they find that you are not safe in your home, you will be placed in the home of a relative or foster family while you, your mother and your step-father all receive counseling to address the problems that have gone on until when and if it appears that it is in your best interest to return home.
To contact child protective services in
If needed, you can also contact the Suicide & Crisis Hotline at 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours, 7 days a week or the Youth Crisis Hotline at 1-800-448-4663, 24 hours, 7 days a week, for youths, 17 years of age or younger, who are in crisis.
If you live in northern
If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Underage drinking costs the 
