Home should be a place where you can rest. But for many people it isn't. It might be arguments, a parent who drinks too much, mental illness in the family, money worries or rules that feel impossible to live with.
You might feel
- Tense when it's time to go home.
- Responsible for things adults should be handling.
- Ashamed, and you don't want anyone to know.
- Angry, sad or completely empty. Sometimes all at once.
Every feeling is okay. None of them mean something is wrong with you.
It's not your fault
How adults behave is never your responsibility. You can't fix your family. And you don't have to cope with everything alone.
What can help
- Talk to someone you trust. A friend, a teacher, the school counsellor – or us.
- Find a safe place. Somewhere you can breathe. The library, a youth centre, a friend's kitchen.
- Write down how things are. It's often easier to find words once they're on paper.
You have the right to be safe. If an adult hurts you, or you don't dare go home, social services can help. We can support you in reaching out – you don't have to do it alone.